Ask HN: How do you balance side project time?

8 points by ralston 7 years ago | 9 comments

I currently have a FT job (thankfully isn't too taxing), but I also have several side projects that I'm working on (browser extension, autonomous trading bot, and just general learning as well). I'm getting to a point where I don't exactly know how to balance my time between all of my side projects. I'm equally interested in all of them, it's just that I'm not sure how much time I should be allocating to each per-day/per-week. I recently read on HN about the "15-minute" rule, where you spend 15 minutes on each so that you don't commit too much or burnout -- anyone else have any other suggestions?

What do you do?

jf22 7 years ago |

In the six years I've been doing side projects I've learned that only having one project makes everything a billion times easier.

See one to completion, then move to the next.

q-base 7 years ago |

Focus on one project outside your FT job, otherwise you will spread too thin and have too much overhead deciding which to work on. Use some time to prioritize/select the one you want to do the most or which has the most potential and then give it all for a few months. Then you can re-iterate. But be wary of perfection paralysis. Ship/get something out the door. Even if it is not perfect. Commit.

And with that said. Don't be afraid to scrap a bad idea. But set ambitious time frames and ship. Then you do not have to worry about the next idea creeping in and stealing the show.

dsaavy 7 years ago |

While others suggested only doing one side project until completion (which is an overall good strategy), I know the feeling of having tons of exciting ideas/side projects that you just don't want to completely put aside. My strategy has made some compromises on the overall completion date, but scratches the itch I have to work on different projects.

Basically, I spend one month focusing on a single project so that I get good mental focus for the month and then am able to feel like I'm still doing multiple side projects in a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, when I come back around to the same project a few months later, I have a fresh perspective along with some (hopefully) new skills or skill levels. That's how I find a balance.

Per day, I basically just work however long I feel like it. If I have plans with friends or want to work out or something I just go do it. Makes it low pressure and let's me make sure I'm always enjoying doing my side project work.

goatherders 7 years ago |

I think that you have to set expectations. Lots of side projects can be managed but what are you trying to accomplish? When I left my FT job 4 months ago I started three businesses. One got a lot of traction very quickly. I shut the other two and focus completely on the one that took off.

ralston 7 years ago | |

I like this idea of setting concrete goals.

togusa2017 7 years ago |

I usually do like 2 hours a week. I look forward for those hours. It's like my mind is racing against time and it's long enough time to finish and accomplish something.with 15 mins I sometimes find it hard to get in the right mindset

ralston 7 years ago | |

I like this idea. Limit the time you give yourself, so that in that (relatively) small amount of time, you actually get things done and don't screw around. A slight take on the (time) scarcity principle.

muzani 7 years ago |

Try this instead - work on them for 15-30 minutes a day, fixed. Keep to it for about a month. Find out which one you naturally focus on more. Which gets you excited?

Split focus kills motivation faster than anything.

mapster 7 years ago |

I've been farming the development work out, so I can focus on the design, functionality and big picture items.