Lately, I've been feeling like I'm burnt out on extraneous projects. For instance, I've not really done much with the Windows Functionality Suite since the last release and the GDI+ project has stalled on the writing documentation aspect of things. But at the same time, I yearn for fun projects to work on. However, once I find one, I find that I have a hard time getting the energy to start on it.
I thought that a two-week vacation with Lis would jump-start me again, but it doesn't seem to have done so. I'm excited by the prospect of releasing the GDI+ project, but I'll be damned if I'm interested in documenting it and getting a web page ready for it. Likewise, I'm not terribly interested in starting any new projects either.
To a certain extent, this apathy is spilling over into my blog. I have interesting things I want to say, but I don't seem to take the time to write posts about them. And when I do have the time to write something worth saying, I can't think of anything to write about!
I don't have any problems getting excited about work stuff. I have a lot of neat projects on my plate which I am excited about working on. Granted, there's still the occasion bug which lands on my plate that I groan at. But that's normal -- everyone has their favorite things to work on and favorite things to hate.
Anyone else experience this sort of extra-curricular apathy, or am I just a nut case? ;-)
I think that in the case of the blog, I just need to start picking a theme for a period of time and come up with subjects in advance. My problem is that I feel like I've said everything already, even though I know that's a crock. As for the side projects... I think I may put those things on hold for a while. I really am interested in getting the GDI+ thing done and in a sellable state. But I don't know what to do about the documentation... Ideas?
Phew! Looking over what I just wrote, I think I should open up a MySpace page. I could have a picture of me with dyed black hair down to my nose, looking slightly to the left while wearing a trucker hat.
I'll leave you with a terrible pun in hopes that it lightens the mood. "I wish my lawn was emo. Then it would cut itself."
It happens to everybody. I've pretty much stopped offering assistance on the NUG & Forum except for the occassional message here and there. I just need a break... I'm working on consulting projects and thats about it. Once you're rested, you'll come around again. :D
It happened to me last week. I was so fed up to fight with the HTMLViewer/pagepanel bug that I gave up. I launched the IDE on Windows but looking at the RB Code on Windows made me sick.
Finally I came back two days ago on coding.
The worst thing to do is to be guilty about it. Sometimes we need a break, especially by being all day in frotn of a computer.
Oh man! You just described my life. I've given up doing everything out of sheer exhaustion. I can't even be bothered to write a longer comment.
Cheers :)
When this happens all too often for me, the cure seems to be releasing or finishing up something big that I've been putting off - even though it requires the extra energy that's not really there. The excitement of a new release or major milestone usually (ok...sometimes) jumpstarts my enthusiasm back up a bit.
When that doesn't work...go buy a new piece of hardware or something fun like that. I'm in a slump right now, but I know when my new Mac Pro (finally) arrives in a couple weeks, I'll be pretty excited again.
...At least for a few days.
Hey, if you need a fun project, how about helping me with Reality Check? ;-) I'm still eager for some help in writing a REALbasic compiler front end (parser/syntax analyzer/lexical analyzer).
I've just started working on Reality Check again, now that my ocular pharmacology test is over. I'm just about done writing a program that converts the Language Reference HTML pages into an XML file that can be used to populate the syntax analyzer's symbol table with data about REALbasic framework modules, objects and methods.
Last fall for 4 months I worked part time helping out a local builder. I worked as a laborer for a LOT less than I usually make but it was enjoyable, and a great diversion from 20 year of programming, and something else that I am interested in.
After 20 years I've run into this malaise every once in a while as well. And, when I do I need to find something else to divert my attention for a while. Sometimes a day or two and sometimes longer.
If you code all day every day it becomes pretty mentally exhausting and you burn out. Hobbies that are mentally stimulating and challenging are a must.
The local buidler I helped out has always wanted to get into building homes and selling them and we're going to do it. Should be lots of fun and could turn into an entirely new occupation.
Fnd a hobby that you are passionate about and pursue it with gusto and you should find that you passion for coding returns.
Aaron,
If you develope long enough it eventually happens to everyone... I've got a few great side projects, some quite fun and a few possibly quite financially advantageous, that I just can't bring myself to work on.
When I was younger I used to spend every waking hour on these types of projects until I got them completed... now... nada, zip, zero, nutt'n.
Yay for burnout. :-P I think I know what will solve the issue though -- a netflix account. Nothing like some movies to get you restless, eh? ;-)
That sounds like me! Lots of nifty things I could be doing and little motivation to do any of them. grr. Don't know what to do about it, either.
When are we having our video game night? ;)
Oh man. I am SO glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this lately. I've had over a dozen projects that I've planned out, but haven't been able to get the motivation to sit down and actually code them.
I think I find programming to be my passion. I love it. I really do. But with some of the negative trends at my work, it took the thing I love to do and turned it into a chore. So when I get home, I just don't find it fun anymore. I think that was a serious blow to my motivation. As well, I think it just became exhausting doing the same thing all my waking hours.
To be honest, I think that is why I like reading your non-work related posts, like about building your house and deck and whatnot. It was interesting to see how things progressed and learn a little about how to do them at the same time.
@Scott -- yeah, you're not the only one. And I'm glad to hear you like the non-work related postings too. :-)
@Becky -- you tell me! I'm down with whenever you want.
Any chance that these are the perennial end of summer blues?