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Side projects are a fun idea, but I've found far more pleasure in dedicating myself to one focus: my day job. If your day job isn't something you can get passi

Side projects are a fun idea, but I've found far more pleasure in dedicating myself to one focus: my day job. If your day job isn't something you can get passionate about and that fulfills whatever needs your side project is doing for you, then you might want to consider switching jobs. It's not that difficult, and the upsides can be exponential. In either case, I find my day job becomes my side and only project (as far as interest and passion and fulfillment) when I dedicate myself to it. This makes me happy and it makes my employer happy also.

porker 13y ago
So what you are saying is that work becomes your life, and your employer is happy because they 'own' you 24/7 and get many more hours of your-brain-output than they'd normally get for your salary? I've had far more pleasure writing very little code outside work and dedicating myself to my wife, friends and being outdoors. I don't want to look back when I die with regret for only pursuing my coding ideas, which are ephemeral. Each to their own though!
- calinet6 13y ago
  No, that's absolutely not what I'm saying. Ideally it should be a relationship of mutual benefit. Dedicating yourself to your job doesn't mean you give up your work/life balance (definitely NOT what I mean), it means you're focused on your actual work while you're AT work, not distracted by side-projects, startup ideas, and anti-productive pursuits. I'm dedicated to work at work, but I leave at 6 and I leave it behind. I don't distract myself with side-projects at home, either. When I'm at home, I'm dedicated to everything you speak of. All I was saying is that side projects and startup ideas shouldn't be your focus while you're employed and at work. In my experience with having side-projects, I've been miserable by not being able to dedicate enough time to the side project, while my actual work suffered for distraction and time wasted. I prefer to have one pursuit in my work, and a life in my own time, and not mix them.
  - porker 13y ago
    Thanks for your clarification, I really appreciate it. I've been surrounded by bright starry-eyed graduates recently who take the view I was outlining. I was one once, and don't want others to lose a decade of their life :)
    - calinet6 13y ago
      I completely understand—it's so hard to tell at a glance on HN whether someone is a junior in college with a summer internship who suddenly thinks they're an expert on life, versus a 10-year veteran of the startup world... I sadly wish someone told me the same thing earlier as well. But life is good now, and you live and learn. Cheers.

porker 13y ago

So what you are saying is that work becomes your life, and your employer is happy because they 'own' you 24/7 and get many more hours of your-brain-output than they'd normally get for your salary? I've had far more pleasure writing very little code outside work and dedicating myself to my wife, friends and being outdoors. I don't want to look back when I die with regret for only pursuing my coding ideas, which are ephemeral. Each to their own though!

calinet6 13y ago
No, that's absolutely not what I'm saying. Ideally it should be a relationship of mutual benefit. Dedicating yourself to your job doesn't mean you give up your work/life balance (definitely NOT what I mean), it means you're focused on your actual work while you're AT work, not distracted by side-projects, startup ideas, and anti-productive pursuits. I'm dedicated to work at work, but I leave at 6 and I leave it behind. I don't distract myself with side-projects at home, either. When I'm at home, I'm dedicated to everything you speak of. All I was saying is that side projects and startup ideas shouldn't be your focus while you're employed and at work. In my experience with having side-projects, I've been miserable by not being able to dedicate enough time to the side project, while my actual work suffered for distraction and time wasted. I prefer to have one pursuit in my work, and a life in my own time, and not mix them.
- porker 13y ago
  Thanks for your clarification, I really appreciate it. I've been surrounded by bright starry-eyed graduates recently who take the view I was outlining. I was one once, and don't want others to lose a decade of their life :)
  - calinet6 13y ago
    I completely understand—it's so hard to tell at a glance on HN whether someone is a junior in college with a summer internship who suddenly thinks they're an expert on life, versus a 10-year veteran of the startup world... I sadly wish someone told me the same thing earlier as well. But life is good now, and you live and learn. Cheers.