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This really got me thinking... Burnout might not be the right term to use in this case. My biggest issue right now is that I feel like I'm not learning enough a

This really got me thinking... Burnout might not be the right term to use in this case. My biggest issue right now is that I feel like I'm not learning enough and I'm not using my full potential. My biggest skills and interests are building native iOS and Android apps as well as hardware hacking. At my 9-5 I do neither of these, I get to do semi-big custom web apps but much of it usually ends up being wrapped in WordPress. Sigh.

mapster 12y ago
You sounds very skilled and possibly feeling under-utilized. Have you given freelancing for projects of the sort that interest you?
- ask_throwaway 12y ago
  I have tried. But I'm now married and have beautiful daughter. So I don't really have time to freelance outside work hours any more.
  - mapster 12y ago
    I understand. I also have children. I run my own web dev firm and put in ~10hrs a day, so consider the many blessings of job that ends at 5pm :)
    - somona 12y ago
      How did you get started with web dev firm? How much experience did you have before making the jump? Just curious. My big plan for the future is to run a web dev firm and build products on the side like 37signals.
      - mapster 12y ago
        I learned as I went. I actually do more than web dev: maps, web maps, data analysis, GIS, so the projects from month to month can be diverse and interesting. I always bite off more than I can chew and it works, otherwise you stagnate. In the early years I tried adwords and other forms of passive advertising to some success. What really works is making connections. I think people make a big thing out of word of mouth, but this is not a business plan, so don't count on that. Instead you do great work, have a solid/simple web portfolio of what you do/work examples/contact and be seen/heard as much as possible. Eventually you will come across a project or problem that you can provide a consistent solution/tool for. I think that is a great benefit of consulting - exposure to the world of real-world needs, not imaginary. Last point - don't sell yourself short; don't undercharge for your service. Have a good excuse/reason as to why you charge what you do: great work, great support, no tricks or gimmicks, etc. Your dream is a good one. I wish you well in 2015!
dutchrapley 12y ago
Bored is the word you're looking for. We have all been there. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes it doesn't. Some people are barely capable of doing the same thing day in and day out, year after year. For them, ignorance is bliss. Others strive to constantly learn, push themselves, and seek opportunities in the challenges that new stacks and projects bring. If you don't see the situation getting better, you need to find a new employer. Find one where you aren't the smartest person on the team, one that will challenge you, one where you can adopt a mentor, and one where you can hone your skills. I realize this in itself can be challenging. If you're in a metro area of > 1 million people, it's much easier than if you're living in a smaller city ~250,000. Network, go to meetups, attend open hacks, meet people. More often than not, there are a great deal of job opportunities that never get advertised to the usual channels. Making new connections will help you discover new opportunities. If you're not learning enough, that's not your employer's fault, it's yours; unless you're working late every night and on the weekends for your employer (if you are, find new job). If it's important, you will find the time. Game of Thrones and Call of Duty can always wait. Practice your craft, constantly. I realize it may not be possible to do this daily, but try every other day. Set aside time, i.e. 8 PM to 10 PM, or 5 AM to 7 AM (whatever works best). On the weekend, try to carve out a 5 hour block on either Saturday or Sunday. Communicate with your partner why this is important to you. It may not have immediate benefits, but in the long run it will. Commitment and discipline are the most important character traits to have as you endeavor upon this journey. Here's some other advice I gave nearly 3 years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261

mapster 12y ago

You sounds very skilled and possibly feeling under-utilized. Have you given freelancing for projects of the sort that interest you?

ask_throwaway 12y ago
I have tried. But I'm now married and have beautiful daughter. So I don't really have time to freelance outside work hours any more.
- mapster 12y ago
  I understand. I also have children. I run my own web dev firm and put in ~10hrs a day, so consider the many blessings of job that ends at 5pm :)
  - somona 12y ago
    How did you get started with web dev firm? How much experience did you have before making the jump? Just curious. My big plan for the future is to run a web dev firm and build products on the side like 37signals.
    - mapster 12y ago
      I learned as I went. I actually do more than web dev: maps, web maps, data analysis, GIS, so the projects from month to month can be diverse and interesting. I always bite off more than I can chew and it works, otherwise you stagnate. In the early years I tried adwords and other forms of passive advertising to some success. What really works is making connections. I think people make a big thing out of word of mouth, but this is not a business plan, so don't count on that. Instead you do great work, have a solid/simple web portfolio of what you do/work examples/contact and be seen/heard as much as possible. Eventually you will come across a project or problem that you can provide a consistent solution/tool for. I think that is a great benefit of consulting - exposure to the world of real-world needs, not imaginary. Last point - don't sell yourself short; don't undercharge for your service. Have a good excuse/reason as to why you charge what you do: great work, great support, no tricks or gimmicks, etc. Your dream is a good one. I wish you well in 2015!

dutchrapley 12y ago

Bored is the word you're looking for. We have all been there. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes it doesn't. Some people are barely capable of doing the same thing day in and day out, year after year. For them, ignorance is bliss. Others strive to constantly learn, push themselves, and seek opportunities in the challenges that new stacks and projects bring. If you don't see the situation getting better, you need to find a new employer. Find one where you aren't the smartest person on the team, one that will challenge you, one where you can adopt a mentor, and one where you can hone your skills. I realize this in itself can be challenging. If you're in a metro area of > 1 million people, it's much easier than if you're living in a smaller city ~250,000. Network, go to meetups, attend open hacks, meet people. More often than not, there are a great deal of job opportunities that never get advertised to the usual channels. Making new connections will help you discover new opportunities. If you're not learning enough, that's not your employer's fault, it's yours; unless you're working late every night and on the weekends for your employer (if you are, find new job). If it's important, you will find the time. Game of Thrones and Call of Duty can always wait. Practice your craft, constantly. I realize it may not be possible to do this daily, but try every other day. Set aside time, i.e. 8 PM to 10 PM, or 5 AM to 7 AM (whatever works best). On the weekend, try to carve out a 5 hour block on either Saturday or Sunday. Communicate with your partner why this is important to you. It may not have immediate benefits, but in the long run it will. Commitment and discipline are the most important character traits to have as you endeavor upon this journey. Here's some other advice I gave nearly 3 years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261