I fell off the train... Those of you who have done the same, how did you hop back on?
So, I had an awesome idea. HoneyHunting was going to be great. Still is, some day I'm sure! But, as happens from time to time, I fell off the train...
At first I called it a re-focus. Then I called it a break. Now, I'm calling it just falling off the train. I lost interest in the project and now have a smaller scale, more attainable project (to be announced!) that I'm going to work on first.
You see, I have this odd, grand vision for my professional life. I saw an awesome post on the FIRE movement with criticisms and support that I enjoy that kind of circle around my vision: right now, I'm in a comfortable, high-paying 9-5 that I honestly can't say I hate necessarily. I just want more freedom, more ability to do what I want instead of what just keeps the bank that owns my house happy and keeps gas in the car. So, I have a trail of SaaS ideas that I want to execute that range in potential profitability, and the idea is to keep working the 9-5 until I can more than support myself on the "side gig" income as I develop it in my 5-9.
The problem is, I keep falling off the train! Life comes at you fast (two kids and COVID epidemic later) and work makes it hard to really devote a lot of time to my side gig. I've built up a great and supportive audience on Twitter and YouTube and I know that'll prove invaluable once I finally launch something. I've already built up a good customer base on the one class I've launched on Udemy (Scrape the Planet: Web Scrapers in Python. You can join the 200+ students that have taken it here!) so I'm not a stranger to converting that audience, but dammit if my motivation isn't ruining my ability to push into the SaaS world!
Those of you who have fallen off, how did you get back on the train? How do you stay motivated?
Looks like you're doing fine. You've given yourself the stress.
I'm in a similar position. Had a course doing well over last 2 years (during covid). And built a couple SaaS on my own. And bought a SaaS then sold it. Diving into a full-time gig this week. And been a dad for just under a year.
I used to make time. Take a long weekend and build something, launch something, dive into something. And now I have to find time.
If you want a free support group of other maker dads on Telegram, DM me on twitter: twitter.com/kamphey. it's just a chat group. No calls. just async text.
Hi, can be your accountability buddy and make sure you scale your project. Let's connect on Twitter.
I have gone part-time and suddenly motivation is not an issue because we're not comfortable on 50% salary.
We won't go bankrupt either, but the extra time and less salary have been a huge help. Luckily my employer allowed it otherwise I'd have had to quit and start freelancing.
Hey Mitch, wanted to let you know I'm in a similar situation. For me it helps to have a 9-5, it reduces the pressure of having to perform. What I mostly try to do is to have fun (I enjoy building stuff). That's motivation enough.
I do try to push myself to actually complete a project and have it available online. For me that's the difference with having side-projects I only build for myself.