Ask HN: What keeps you going?

Maybe it's time to dabble in something new?<p>I've developed many interests over the years -- programming, game design, interactive development, music theory, soundtracks, cooking, martial arts, hiking, circuit bending ... I may not have mastered any of these, but my mind feels limber. I've stopped feeling guilty about putting down a project, and revisiting it later. That's how I get around mental blocks and ruts. It's always nice to revisit something with a clear head; old roadblocks tend to sort themselves out.<p>Also, your interests can be combined in clever ways. I just finished a new iPhone app, which combines many of the aforementioned. (Shameless plug: Twang is an expressive handheld guitar: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/twangapp" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/twangapp</a>).<p>To me, this is success -- not making scads of money (necessarily), but rather having a job I love, and the freedom to pursue new interests.

Fundamentally what's keeping me going is that I see a big market opportunity.<p>But on a day-to-day basis, when I really hit a brick wall, I take a break.<p>I have a "small items to-do list". It's a list of things that individually would take a short amount of time (say 5min - 3hrs) that I'd like to do "some day". I do one. Or two. Or 10. This clears my mind and also makes me feel productive. Also, it's a good break so that when I do get back to the big thing I'm chasing, I come back with a clear mind and fresh eyes so that I figure out a way around the brick wall.<p>Exercise, cooking, watching TV, and other activities also help. Just do what you feel like doing to re-group and re-energize, and then get back at it.