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I did this (for six months) up until recently (quit my job) and I can say that it's a great means for getting your project started. If you're in a situation whe

by rglover 15y ago

I did this (for six months) up until recently (quit my job) and I can say that it's a great means for getting your project started. If you're in a situation where you don't have a lot of money saved up and need a job, nothing beats spending time in the evenings and weekends working on your idea. The only caveat that wasn't really noted by the author is that it's NOT EASY. When all of your time is occupied with work (even if you view your project as fun/something you enjoy, it's still hard work), you can get worn out very easily. Be warned that this requires a lot of dedication and focus (sometimes you skip going out on the weekend to build a new feature). It will suck at times but once you get into a flow, it gets easier. What's more, make sure you explain what you're doing with any significant others (girlfriend, wife, boyfriend, husband) as this will detract a lot of time from your relationship and you'll need support for what you're doing.

dconway 15y ago
I'm doing a less intense version of this now. Taking breaks (sometimes whole-day breaks) helps prevent burnout. Nontechnical breaks are especially good: house chores, exercise, meals. (I actually let the dishes pile up a bit so I can wash them as a break and come back feeling productive.)
- kerryfalk 15y ago
  For me finding something to wind down every couple days at the end of the day to bring me back to reality and out of the world in my head helps a lot. I wouldn't have been able to do it for as long as I have without it. I watch movies. Lots of movies. Probably two a week on iTunes. I end up getting a little less sleep usually because I don't start them until 11 or 11:30 but it seems to help me keep my sanity.
kerryfalk 15y ago
This is true. It becomes second nature. I have been doing this for four years basically working two full time jobs. It is not easy. During this time I have even relearned to code (Wrote some Java apps ten years ago). It is not the ideal situation. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because it's very hard to do a great job at both. Unfortunately I go back and forth when I'm succeeding at one the other usually suffers. When I'm succeeding at both at the same time it's usually because I've been working on the rings that are currently succeeding in alternating patterns for a long time and it just happens that it's finishing around the same time. I have learned a lot and wouldn't go back and change much but I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I don't know from first hand experience but it seems a lot like those stories about someone working a full time job and going to law school at the same time in their mid thirties. Your life disappears and I doubt they'd recommend the same path to anyone else, but it can work.

by rglover 15y ago

dconway 15y ago

I'm doing a less intense version of this now. Taking breaks (sometimes whole-day breaks) helps prevent burnout. Nontechnical breaks are especially good: house chores, exercise, meals. (I actually let the dishes pile up a bit so I can wash them as a break and come back feeling productive.)

kerryfalk 15y ago
For me finding something to wind down every couple days at the end of the day to bring me back to reality and out of the world in my head helps a lot. I wouldn't have been able to do it for as long as I have without it. I watch movies. Lots of movies. Probably two a week on iTunes. I end up getting a little less sleep usually because I don't start them until 11 or 11:30 but it seems to help me keep my sanity.

kerryfalk 15y ago

This is true. It becomes second nature. I have been doing this for four years basically working two full time jobs. It is not easy. During this time I have even relearned to code (Wrote some Java apps ten years ago). It is not the ideal situation. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because it's very hard to do a great job at both. Unfortunately I go back and forth when I'm succeeding at one the other usually suffers. When I'm succeeding at both at the same time it's usually because I've been working on the rings that are currently succeeding in alternating patterns for a long time and it just happens that it's finishing around the same time. I have learned a lot and wouldn't go back and change much but I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I don't know from first hand experience but it seems a lot like those stories about someone working a full time job and going to law school at the same time in their mid thirties. Your life disappears and I doubt they'd recommend the same path to anyone else, but it can work.