Bootstrapping incompatible with lifestyle I seek?
Long-time lurker, first post – hi all!
Very familiar with bootstrapping. As a web developer I built my authority in a particular niche by following 30x500, excellent course I totally vouch for. I had a lot of plans on growing that business, which is going fairly well.
However... I almost burn out. I found out that coding and generally being behind a screen SO many hours solving tough programming challenges (esp when consulting) brings the worst out of me. And the lack of natural light and social contact really kills me. Basically, I like the money but I'm honestly becoming miserable.
#yolo, and since I LOVE moving around, being social, outdoors, traveling, meeting people, I am strongly considering starting in online marketing for travel/lifestyle brands here in Mexico. I'm sure that will bring me many of the benefits I seek from a lifestyle point of view: having relatively active days, with some time behind the screen, but not ALL the time behind the screen.
Buuuut it seems that by following this lifestyle I'll be going against the best biz advice I learnt so far (leverage your skills, experience, build an internet business, etc). I have ZERO professional experience in "softer skills" businesses or marketing itself, for example social media marketing.
That is, the issue with prioritizing "myself, my lifestyle" vs prioritizing "how can I help others with what I know".
I'd love to hear ideas on how would you bootstrap ANY business without being 100% plugged to a computer. Marketing is an option for me, but I'm open to hear other ideas too.
The grass is always greener. Why not dip your toes in that alternative career path while holding on to your current work? - maybe slow down the consulting a bit to allow you the time to do this.
When you say "I'm sure that will bring me many of the benefits I seek from a lifestyle point of view", are you really sure?
With social media marketing there's a larger disconnect between the work you're doing and the value you're adding than with straight-up building things - that's my experience at least. And you're still behind the computer a whole lot, following and posting and measuring and tracking.
Your problems (natural light, social contact) could be solved by going nomad and working from shared workspaces or locations with good energy.
I was a "digital nomad" before even that term existed and while I enjoyed a lot, there are times for everything. I've been traveling and living abroad forever and if there's something I learned is that you take your problems with yourself. Right now I'm much more interested in enjoying my life and developing a local network of people.
Love the insight on "larger disconnect between the work you're doing and the value you're adding". Always suspected this true. Maybe some other kind of marketing?
I didn't mention I've been dipping my toes in this new thing (doing content and having one non-paying marketing "client") and it does seem better. Less static than programming and the problems are much more pleasant to solve. The suggestion of keeping some side income from programming would be a great solution while I transition, indeed. Thanks!
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I'm in the same boat... plus pile on being a new father! It used to be the case that if I wasn't infront of a screen 16 hours a day, I would get anxious because it felt like I was not working hard enough torward my goals. I was really hard on myself, and that path only led me to health issues and regret. So be really kind to yourself, stay healthy and social. Find a rhythm that doesn't end in burnout, because that'll actually slow you down even more in the long run. Good luck!
Congrats on being a father! I can totally relate with the 16 hour days lol. I'm glad I posted this question because all you guys opinions are basically "more balance".
I'll keep thinking about it, because honestly, IDGAF about programming (esp for others). I only do it for the money.
The mind considers the benefits. It doesn't stop to ask "what's the bad side?"
Make a table and compare the two paths side by side. Come up with criteria and rate each path. Then, go and ask people (in person or in online forums) what the negatives are because you have to work the job in order to find them.
You might find this article relevant: https://www.julian.com/blog/life-planning Startup founder (and software engineer) explains how he listed his criteria for what he wants from life and realized he needed to switch to writing in order to better be fulfilled!
Oh wow. Really. Thanks SO much for that link!
I just mentioned in another comment I could get a "sample" of what working on content and marketing feels like, and it seems I do like it better. I think I hate battling against a computer's logic, it's so frustrating.
I were in a similar position after I finished my Bachelors degree. I decided to seek a full-time job, can be anything but for me it was within the programming field. And now I have social contacts, fun day activities and a job I love. I continued with consulting on weekends for one particular client, and indie hack whenever I have the time.
It will probably be a long while until I go back to being a solo developer again :)
I really think you should take that job you mentioned! You can still build stuff on your free-time, just not as fast. Worst case scenario you could maybe work 80% full time and 20% on your own stuff.
Then if you ever get traction enough to go solo or start hiring people, that's great. If not, it's also great :)
So the job you love is not in programming?
Again - I like the "balance" aspect. If I do programming purely for the money, at least I shouldn't be 100% miserable of doing it full time. Haha.
And that's one of the questions I have. What the heck to build in a niche I have zero experience with? Although building a SaaS or such a product is nonsense, 30x500 is spot on on this.
No I love programming, it's my fulltime job and hobby :)
Haha i'm so jealous. Progamming makes me miserable
😅 well then you probably shouldn't do it!
I often remind myself
Like @onefishtaco said, we must not forget about our health. Actually, I burned out at my previous work, so I left, regardless of the fact the pay was good. Like you said - YOLO.
ABSOLUTELY! Thanks for the reminder Michal. That's was the waking call. Programming is very frustrating for me and I think it wrecks my health.