I’m a solo agency owner and a software developer. More than a year ago I quit a lead developer position job due to burnout. Soon after I opened an LLC and have been working under it since.
I have a couple of gigs here and there, and one long-term client that brings in most of my revenue.
Meanwhile, I started building a product and a tool to help me manage and streamline some of the work I do.
The journey was okay for a the first 2 months of non-stop planning and coding.
Now I just seem to get stuck on the ideation phase, not to mention the implementation. It’s all there, I just need to code it.
Or I know that I need to start working but that code editor, man… I don’t want to open it…
No, not today.
It feels like my brain circuits are fried because I can happily go for a long hike, do other physical activity, read, write articles or other posts, anything that doesn’t require too much brain power.
So guys, how do you push through this barrier yourself?
The journey was okay for the first 2 months of non-stop planning and coding.
Vyvanse.
I know taking drugs to perform duties is frowned upon in most circles… But that shit makes solo coding / doing fullstack work way the fuck less grating and farm more enjoyable.
What works for me is I unplug the internet and magically I start working.
Control your emotions, don’t let them control you.
Most of the struggle is with starting, same with the law of physics, it takes a lot more energy to get something going but less to keep it rolling.
So focus on starting, don’t try fancy changes or re-inventing things, just start with the top priority… 5 minutes in you will see it’s really not that bad and you will finish it. The feeling you get for finishing something that has been dragging is so much stronger than the fear you had of starting!
Also, learn the Eseinhower matrix to make sure you are working on what matters.
You need a vacation.
Hmm in the 11 years I’ve been in business I’ve learned to stop. Let me explain. I am meticulously organized. Everything is written, notated, and scheduled on my calendar with a reminder. So I know my deadlines and I know how when I’m motivated I can bang out projects in up to four hours (depending on the project and needs). However, there is no cure for being over worked, over whelmed, or just plain pushing yourself to continue in the moment. You said you worked hard for several months and now it’s hard to continue with the call of activities that relax you. So, GO RELAX. Mental fortitude when working on your own company like this isn’t about constantly getting at it. It’s about balance. If you can’t focus go on the hike. Get out of your head and let the ideas and motivation come. Progress bar and the other things can help but not if you aren’t in the right state of mind.
I’m building a hydroponic greenhouse. I work in the trades and industrial mechanic. I have days when I don’t want to do fuck all. I remind myself I’d rather be outside in the cold kneeling in mud than working as a mechanic (trust me it’s rough).
No one else is going to make your success.