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There's a way for me to make some money, but it requires that I setup a fairly complicated spreadsheet to monitor several variables. A "complicated spreadsheet

by edw519 16y ago

There's a way for me to make some money, but it requires that I setup a fairly complicated spreadsheet to monitor several variables. A "complicated spreadsheet" isn't a requirement, it's a roadblock. You're making it harder for yourself by putting obstacles in front of yourself and then wondering why it's so hard to make progress. I want to be rich. Filthy rich, even. Getting rich isn't the goal. It's a byproduct. You never even mention what your startup is going to do, who it's going to help, or why you absolutely positively must do it. If you have something you must do, identify it and focus on it. If you don't, find it. Everything else, including money, is just a detail. I take a break to 'clear my head'. Clearing your head isn't a necessary step, it's an excuse. Again, if you have something you must do, you head is already plenty clear. If you don't, then what are you clearing your head for? In summary: 1. Find what you must do. 2. Start doing it. In case you don't have something you must do, then just do something, anything. The process of doing will probably help you find your mission. The processes of thinking, preparing tools, and dreaming about money probably won't. A couple of minor pointers that have helped me: 1. If you have 2 computers, make one for work and the other for internet and put them in different rooms. 2. Throw your TV set into the dumpster. 3. When you have code to work on, be at your terminal, working on it (Mode 1). 4. When you don't have code to write, by anywhere but your terminal with pencil and paper handy (Mode 2). 5. Start every day in Mode 1 and end every day (probably in bed) in Mode 2. Ending the day in Mode 2 in requisite to being able to start in Mode 1 the next day. 6. Take care of yourself.

oz 16y ago
A "complicated spreadsheet" isn't a requirement, it's a roadblock. You're making it harder for yourself by putting obstacles in front of yourself and then wondering why it's so hard to make progress. This is true on so many levels. To get started, I really only need a basic spreadsheet, but I've been fantasizing about complex Pivot Tables, sparklines, VLOOKUPS, most of which I've never even used before! I think I do this so that I can tell myself I'm doing something even though I'm really accomplishing nothing. Story of my life. "In case you don't have something you must do, then just do something, anything. The process of doing will probably help you find your mission. The processes of thinking, preparing tools, and dreaming about money probably won't." I do this All.The.Time. Like the taxi driver in 'Collateral', I'm thinking how everything has to be perfect, while 12 years pass by. I think, and talk about money constantly: How nice It'll be to buy a Mercedes, get my own apartment, and not having to answer to a boss. I'm hiding in the server room typing this right now-he likes to sneak up behind me. edw519, thanks for the kick in the rear. Hurts, but I need it.
- tjmaxal 16y ago
  I know I've fallen into this fallacy a few times myself. It's easy to say to yourself if only I had enough data this decision/direction/risk would be obvious and I wouldn't be so worried about it. But the truth is even with perfect data you still have to be willing to take risks and no amount of analysis will ever take that away. Hard lesson to learn but a good one none the less.
- cabalamat 16y ago
  > I've been fantasizing about complex Pivot Tables, sparklines, VLOOKUPS, most of which I've never even used before! When writing software, I often ask myself, "what's the simplest thing that could ever possibly work", and then proceed to implement it that way. You might try doing the same.
zackattack 16y ago
"1. Find what you must do. 2. Start doing it." is really amazing advice. I think that you too often confuse means with ends, and don't attack the ends directly; instead, your waylaid by the means. For example: you want to make money with this spreadsheet scheme, but then you want to put it into the startup. Fuck, no. Work directly on your startup. Also, stop listening to rap music. All rapper love to rap about their money, but it's a stupid pyramid scheme because they only get money from selling music (or drugs). I spent so much time smoking weed and listening to Lil Wayne in college, thinking that because I'm so smart I'm definitely going to make so much money. No, he's selling you the fantasy. When we get caught up in idol worship, we spend time admiring the successful. Successful people are too busy doing whatever makes them successful to waste time like that. If you want to be a successful man, you have to start aligning yourself with Reality instead of Fantasy. This means if something makes you uncomfortable (say..a chapter in a book), confront it head on directly.
- freshfey 16y ago
  "Also, stop listening to rap music. All rapper love to rap about their money, but it's a stupid pyramid scheme because they only get money from selling music (or drugs)." I'm afraid that rap music isn't all about money and drugs.
  - zackattack 16y ago
    You're right and I'm wrong. You have people like Jay Electronica rapping and that's a good thing. A categorical dismissal was unfair but nonetheless a valid prescription for the original poster.
    - freshfey 16y ago
      +1 vote for keeping it real! :)
heed 16y ago
>In case you don't have something you must do, then just do something, anything Wasn't he doing 'anything' by listening to rap music and watching the World Cup? I find your summary paralyzingly vague. :\

by edw519 16y ago

oz 16y ago

A "complicated spreadsheet" isn't a requirement, it's a roadblock. You're making it harder for yourself by putting obstacles in front of yourself and then wondering why it's so hard to make progress. This is true on so many levels. To get started, I really only need a basic spreadsheet, but I've been fantasizing about complex Pivot Tables, sparklines, VLOOKUPS, most of which I've never even used before! I think I do this so that I can tell myself I'm doing something even though I'm really accomplishing nothing. Story of my life. "In case you don't have something you must do, then just do something, anything. The process of doing will probably help you find your mission. The processes of thinking, preparing tools, and dreaming about money probably won't." I do this All.The.Time. Like the taxi driver in 'Collateral', I'm thinking how everything has to be perfect, while 12 years pass by. I think, and talk about money constantly: How nice It'll be to buy a Mercedes, get my own apartment, and not having to answer to a boss. I'm hiding in the server room typing this right now-he likes to sneak up behind me. edw519, thanks for the kick in the rear. Hurts, but I need it.

tjmaxal 16y ago
I know I've fallen into this fallacy a few times myself. It's easy to say to yourself if only I had enough data this decision/direction/risk would be obvious and I wouldn't be so worried about it. But the truth is even with perfect data you still have to be willing to take risks and no amount of analysis will ever take that away. Hard lesson to learn but a good one none the less.
cabalamat 16y ago
> I've been fantasizing about complex Pivot Tables, sparklines, VLOOKUPS, most of which I've never even used before! When writing software, I often ask myself, "what's the simplest thing that could ever possibly work", and then proceed to implement it that way. You might try doing the same.

zackattack 16y ago

"1. Find what you must do. 2. Start doing it." is really amazing advice. I think that you too often confuse means with ends, and don't attack the ends directly; instead, your waylaid by the means. For example: you want to make money with this spreadsheet scheme, but then you want to put it into the startup. Fuck, no. Work directly on your startup. Also, stop listening to rap music. All rapper love to rap about their money, but it's a stupid pyramid scheme because they only get money from selling music (or drugs). I spent so much time smoking weed and listening to Lil Wayne in college, thinking that because I'm so smart I'm definitely going to make so much money. No, he's selling you the fantasy. When we get caught up in idol worship, we spend time admiring the successful. Successful people are too busy doing whatever makes them successful to waste time like that. If you want to be a successful man, you have to start aligning yourself with Reality instead of Fantasy. This means if something makes you uncomfortable (say..a chapter in a book), confront it head on directly.

freshfey 16y ago
"Also, stop listening to rap music. All rapper love to rap about their money, but it's a stupid pyramid scheme because they only get money from selling music (or drugs)." I'm afraid that rap music isn't all about money and drugs.
- zackattack 16y ago
  You're right and I'm wrong. You have people like Jay Electronica rapping and that's a good thing. A categorical dismissal was unfair but nonetheless a valid prescription for the original poster.
  - freshfey 16y ago
    +1 vote for keeping it real! :)

heed 16y ago

>In case you don't have something you must do, then just do something, anything Wasn't he doing 'anything' by listening to rap music and watching the World Cup? I find your summary paralyzingly vague. :\