I’ve been working on this software idea of mine everyday this week, whenever I can between my 9 to 5 job and other obligations. But there are no longer enough hours in a day for me to do everything I want. So I’ve cut off TV (except for Smallville on Wednesdays and The Apprentice on Thursdays; I’m addicted to those two shows!). And I’ve cut half an hour to an hour into my sleep everyday. And most embarassing of all, my hygiene has suffered a bit.
I usually take a shower everyday without fail. I like feeling clean. But for the time being, I want more time, so I take showers every one and a half days. Monday morning, Tuesday evening, Thursday morning, Friday evening, Sunday morning, Monday evening, etc. So every two days or so, I don’t shower the entire day and devote that little bit of extra time to my project. I’m normally not a sweaty smelly person, so this new shower schedule doesn’t affect my hygiene too much (I don’t think).
Update 4/25/2005: I forgot to mention that forum/blog reading has also been cut about 70%. I used to spend 2-3 hours throughout a day just reading forums and other people’s blogs. Now I let new blog entries accumulate in Bloglines and just read them once or twice a week. Along with cutting out TV, this one has been a major time saver!
- Thanks for reading
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- Carla Blazek, free from 9 to 5
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April 25th, 2005 at 5:08 am
[…] e his attempt to become free from 9 to 5 by developing a software application. He’s quickly realized that finding freedom has meant giving up the freedom he may hav […]
April 25th, 2005 at 5:54 am
Usually when I develop software, it helps to get away from the computer occasionally… just walking to get some water might spark an idea that I’ve been struggling with all morning. If the same is true with you, you could use the time required to shower as a useful break…
April 25th, 2005 at 6:16 am
I’ve been doing the independent software thing for over 8 years now, and sometimes I still wish I had more hours in the day. In the beginning I was struggling to get it going and it did affect a relationship I was in. So that’s one thing to watch out for: don’t neglect your fiancee, no matter how long it has been since your last shower. I feel fortunate that eventually I found a girlfriend (now wife) who actually understands what I do, and who works just and hard on her own projects.
The good news is that it does get better after a while. You just have to guard your free time and find a balance between work and the rest of your life.
April 25th, 2005 at 10:10 am
Jim, I agree breaks are essential. Thanks for the tip.
Anatoly, I’m fortunate to have a supportive fiancee. At the same time, I devote a lot of time to her as well. Time with her is something that I’m not cutting out at all.
April 25th, 2005 at 10:44 am
I don’t know if you’ve done it, but I suggest doing your indie stuff BEFORE work. Getting up at 5-6am and getting a couple solid work hours in consistently. Then after your day job, you don’t have this project looming over you at home. You can veg out!
April 25th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
I’m getting a solid 3 hours of work done almost every night from 9pm to 12am or so. I actually look forward to working on this after my day job everyday. I get home about 7:30pm, eat, unwind and get to work around 9pm.
Morning people might be able to do the 5am, 6am thing, but never in my life have I been able to do that consistently. Even when I go to sleep at 10pm, I don’t want to get up until at least 8am. I’m just so not a morning person. Working at night, and sleeping from 12 or 1am to 8am is working for me now.