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Ask HN: How do you balance side project time?

8 points by ralston ↗ HN
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?

9 comments

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goatherders
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
I like this idea of setting concrete goals.
q-base
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.

jf22
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.

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

togusa2017
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
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.
dsaavy
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.