Just remember, you only have 24 hours in a day. If you start a side project, who or what will you take that time from? It may or may not be worth it for you and/or your family.<p>I also do hiring, not a lot of volume, but a rather rigorous process. I hardly ever look at someone's GitHub projects or OSS contributions because a) I don't know how much time they put into that work and productivity is a key metric for us and b) having our own process means I get just the information I need without needing to sift through a lot of code that will take me time to become familiar with. Not arguing this method is best, just that it's a reality that you can't be sure how many prospective employers will care about side projects. It worked for the article's author but it may not work for you. So again, just emphasizing that you should weigh the cost/benefits.
I'd add: Workout and do other stuff while working on your side project. Don't just sit 8 more hours per day. Do some push ups, code a bit. Do some sit ups, code a bit, go running outside a bit, code some lines. Do the laundry, code while waiting. I've found that this works well for me and I am more satisfied with my day after.
The likelihood that a side project is going to pay off is very slim. If you are doing a side project for the sake of doing a side project, you are doing it wrong. Doing other things like fitness and raising a family are worthy <i>projects</i>, in which case your coding job is now your side project.
> Now we have three people working on the site full time, thousands of paying users, and tens of thousands of repositories.<p>Three! Love it. That was a massive hire of course, a 50% increase above the two founders.
Lord is this impossible to read on mobile. I get using a gist and eating your own dog food to share content. But these guys have incredible eng talent and can’t make a gist readable on mobile ?
That's a great idea -- if you don't have a wide range of hobbies and a curiosity about life. So work 40-50 hours a week, and then in your leisure time continue to work on the same type of item?<p>Maybe many developers who relate to this don't have creative pursuits (eg. writing, photography, painting, etc.), don't exercise, don't have much of a social life, and thus it is a no-brainer. Or, perhaps people are replacing wasted time (i.e. TV) with side dev time.<p>Either way, more power to you. I'm a believer in cross-training - creative thinking and a healthy body also improve the 'actual work' part of your work life.
If everything will work out, at one point this side project will become your main project<p>And than after some time, You will need a side project again<p>And this cycle can last forever.<p>That's the life of the entrepreneur<p>Always chasing about something new
As an ex-founder who was mad about side projects, I can tell you in hindsight, if you start a side-project, definitely make sure you enjoy what you are doing. The joy is in the process and not the destination. Otherwise, you will just burn your way through and destabilize your relationships unnecessarily as well.
Come to the free Minnebar unconference if you're in Minneapolis April 27.
Side Projects for Fun and Profit - 2019 Edition
<a href="https://sessions.minnestar.org/sessions/689" rel="nofollow">https://sessions.minnestar.org/sessions/689</a>
I would like to work on a side project, but I'm in my late 20s, single, and need to date a lot.<p>I need advice from people who went through this phase. Should I focus on my career or finding a partner?
Video of talk: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVs90EsAi3o" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVs90EsAi3o</a>