I think when you have been in the corporate game or self-employed it can just evolve into highly meticulous ROI focus. I feel with time we realize the value of our time and at time can over protect it as our most-prized asset. I am doing corporate software engineering work coupled with a side thing off hours so I totally understand the struggle. What I found that works for me is timeboxing. I used to just focus on if I was feeling inspired or am having fun when I was playing a video game or working on a side project. Now I just set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to work on it just for that amount of time. If I don't feel it, it was only 15 minutes. But because of how I'm wired, and from your post, I feel you are wired this way too, you get inspired. Just putting yourself in vicinity of something that scratches that itch will naturally lend it itself to be inspiring. The 15 minutes thing is to make my productivity obsessed part of my brain be quiet because the time is allocated and not a "waste". Just a thought! It works for me so I thought I would share.
Man thank you for sharing - I think it is super important to get that out there b/c it made me think about this subject again for myself. The fun factor is a huge deal. Software is a creative artform. It is not just slinging code for the real ones. I think it was awesome for you to share!
I recently found this community that you might like if you have not already heard of it. https://dev.to/ it's for developers and I found it refreshing
I feel you, I was also building things for fun just for the sake of it, and didn't want to learn sales and marketing.
But now that I actually learned new things in these domains, I am thinking just in terms of getting MRR and choosing a good product idea that can get to X goal.
The fun has left somehow. But I am still trying to at least build products that solve my own problems, and then see how to monetize them.
The game I am playing has changed, and I think I know how to adapt to it while still keeping the "fun" aspect
I believe it is normal to focus on growing the MRR part only. It just later hits hard when you forget completely about fun. But for some people making MRR is a lot of fun.
Inspiring! Money and "financial freedom" seem to be big motivators. It's impressive how you narrowed your focus and accomplished those things. Now is a good time for reflection, though. I find it helpful to ask myself, "If I'm looking back on my life on my deathbed, what do I want to remember?" Also, be mindful of your intentions in life. Is it joy? Is it security? Is it being seen by others in a certain way? What would you choose? Would you rather be the happiest person all day long for the rest of your life but be homeless? Or would you rather be the richest person in your neighborhood and feel depressed all day long? The answer isn't one or the other, but rather how you want to live your life and how to integrate happiness with achieving your monetary goals.
Well, I do almost everything for fun. The side effect is that I have close to €0 MRR, but I am pretty happy 😂
😆
Never make your hobby your job 😮💨
I think it's a matter of perspective, this should give you more time to play.
You "just" have to use it ;) Bit of a luxury problem, you'll figure it out.
Yes, I am lucky to have that problem. I clearly understand it. Do I need to find new hobbies, now? 😆
yeah do/build smth with your hands
I think when you have been in the corporate game or self-employed it can just evolve into highly meticulous ROI focus. I feel with time we realize the value of our time and at time can over protect it as our most-prized asset. I am doing corporate software engineering work coupled with a side thing off hours so I totally understand the struggle. What I found that works for me is timeboxing. I used to just focus on if I was feeling inspired or am having fun when I was playing a video game or working on a side project. Now I just set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to work on it just for that amount of time. If I don't feel it, it was only 15 minutes. But because of how I'm wired, and from your post, I feel you are wired this way too, you get inspired. Just putting yourself in vicinity of something that scratches that itch will naturally lend it itself to be inspiring. The 15 minutes thing is to make my productivity obsessed part of my brain be quiet because the time is allocated and not a "waste". Just a thought! It works for me so I thought I would share.
Thanks a lot for sharing 🙏
Man thank you for sharing - I think it is super important to get that out there b/c it made me think about this subject again for myself. The fun factor is a huge deal. Software is a creative artform. It is not just slinging code for the real ones. I think it was awesome for you to share!
I recently found this community that you might like if you have not already heard of it. https://dev.to/ it's for developers and I found it refreshing
I have a similar struggle, so I'm rethinking my whole relationship with productivity and fun.
It's not an all or nothing game. We have different needs, and both productivity and fun matter.
I think the key is recognizing those needs and making space for them.
100%
I feel you, I was also building things for fun just for the sake of it, and didn't want to learn sales and marketing.
But now that I actually learned new things in these domains, I am thinking just in terms of getting MRR and choosing a good product idea that can get to X goal.
The fun has left somehow. But I am still trying to at least build products that solve my own problems, and then see how to monetize them.
The game I am playing has changed, and I think I know how to adapt to it while still keeping the "fun" aspect
I believe it is normal to focus on growing the MRR part only. It just later hits hard when you forget completely about fun. But for some people making MRR is a lot of fun.
Inspiring! Money and "financial freedom" seem to be big motivators. It's impressive how you narrowed your focus and accomplished those things. Now is a good time for reflection, though. I find it helpful to ask myself, "If I'm looking back on my life on my deathbed, what do I want to remember?" Also, be mindful of your intentions in life. Is it joy? Is it security? Is it being seen by others in a certain way? What would you choose? Would you rather be the happiest person all day long for the rest of your life but be homeless? Or would you rather be the richest person in your neighborhood and feel depressed all day long? The answer isn't one or the other, but rather how you want to live your life and how to integrate happiness with achieving your monetary goals.
So many questions 😆
I can relate so much. All as a mean to an end. It’s so soul crashing.
What’s the earliest event you can remember when you did this? I wonder…