March 22, 2007
Productivity and Fascination
I’d like to think that any effort we put into learning something is because there was some level of awe and wonder when we first discovered it. Especially something we have enough interest in to develop a career, or an education, around it.
And it’s that basic intrigue that keeps us going through all the busy-work and boring parts that come with any job or education. In my mind, the most dangerous scenario is losing that intrinsic ‘wow-factor’ relating so something I build my life around.
This principle can be applied to nearly all aspects of life, love, and friendship, but I’d like to narrow that scope to ‘career’ for this particular conversation. Having just recently started my own business, the side effects of a potential burn-out are more frightening than ever. Being my own motivator comes with a wonderful sense of freedom, but an equally sobering sense of responsibility. It’s more important than ever to avoid that feeling of “I just don’t want to work right now.”
While I don’t pretend to be an expert on the human psyche, there’s one thing that, more than any other, has helped me keep on track and renewed my professional energy. Let me start with a little back-story.
Finding the Fascinating
As I’ve mentioned before, I majored in physics back in college. Often times people look at me with blank stares when I mention this, but there were a few very concrete reasons why I chose to study physics. First and foremost, the idea that we can predict and evaluate with extreme accuracy the processes and behaviors of nature was quite possibly the most intriguing idea I’d ever thought through. All the ridiculous mathematics and proofs that came along with it were not enough to deter me from the core concept that what I got out of them was absolutely fascinating.
After I finished this long and boring equation, I got something concrete. Something meaningful. Was it completely applicable to my life? No, not really. Was it practical? Not all the time. Was it even something I could show to anyone else and they would agree that it was amazing? I only wish. But I loved it. I didn’t always like the process, but I loved the outcome.
On the Current SItuation
I got into web development because it had that same level of intrigue. The fact that I could make a couple keystrokes, and immediately have something that I, and anyone really, could use and interact with was mind-blowing. Do I like everything about web development? Of course not. I’ll be honest, I have a terrible time with internal organization: naming of layers in Photoshop/Fireworks, organizing my CSS files, etc. It’s not exciting. It’s not sexy. Sure the outcome is way better, but the process is not.
So let me boil all this down to something concrete. What is it that causes burnout in my work cycle? It’s forgetting that I absolutely love the outcome. It’s thinking of client work as just ‘something that needs to get done.’ It’s not remembering why I started doing this in the first place. In order to get me though the mundane, I need to remember to find the fascinating.
The Take Away
If you love CSS, be proud of yourself for your hack-free layout. Even if nobody else will be. Remember to pat yourself on the back every now and then. You’ll be amazed how confidence improves your motivation. In every part of a project, find the one thing that you really enjoy, and savor it. Don’t let the things that excite you pass by too quickly. Taking pride in that one little gem will give you the energy to get through that next stack of emails that need to be send out. Trust me.
Thanks for those great words of wisdom. I think there are a lot of us web developers out here that are stuck in a not so perfect world. Myself included as I work for an eCommerce company that were not practicing the best web standards. I come in here with 18 sites all using the same crappy code and all have their own CSS files that are like 40kb of crap. This all do to the fact they didn’t have a development team back then and had a local development firm create it.
I now have the special part of being the lead front-end developer and have to slowly but surely turn this stuff around. Not many of the other employees or executives understand the massive, probably year long struggle I will have but in the end these sites will be great from a front-end standpoint. I just have to battle my way through it and understand that not everything may be fun or the ideal job that I would of saw myself working at, such as just creating new websites for clients but somewhat of a battle between me and the horrible code and at the end of the war, I might of struggled through out and had a rough time but I still won. I think making me a better person/coder because of the experience.
Thanks for the great words of encouragement!
March 22nd, 2007
Very well said Steve. Often times it’s easy to get frustrated by the little things that make work “work” and lose sight of the very reason we love what we do.
March 22nd, 2007
Ditto. Thanks for this, Steve! I’ve had some burnouts lately, and it’s so true—when I glimpse the result, it’s easier to get back on track.
March 22nd, 2007
If I could get my hands on you, I’d pat you on the back for your outstanding site design.
The hardest part I find with self-employment is, like you said, motivation. I find the easiest way to motivate myself is to set in place a series of goals that keep me on on obvious track.
March 22nd, 2007
Wow, this post couldn’t have come at a better time Steve. I’ve been having one of those ‘mundane’ days. It’s always good to get a bit of a kick in the pants sometimes to let us remember why we got into this field in the first place. Cheers!
March 22nd, 2007
WOW. Everything you mentioned about your physics experience is EXACTLY how I feel about my Math major.
The thing I hate about web design is doing mundane tasks- with wordpress, it’s styling the comments section.. how boring!
March 22nd, 2007
As I make the transition from employee to business owner, these words could not come at a better time. Unfortunately, I’m a perfectionist, so there are times that I’m working on client stuff and I forget why I’m doing what I’m doing. For some the money is their motivator, but for me it’s the creativity and sometimes i lose sight of that. Thanks for reminding me.
March 22nd, 2007
Preach Steve, preach! To that I may add that I’m sure we can all conclude that when you’re heavily involved in a job or activity that you truly enjoy and have a passion for, you rarely if ever see it as a job.
March 22nd, 2007
Thanks for the little pep talk Steve. I’m all to familiar with the “I don’t want to work” feeling lately until I started working on a new project this week where I’m really excited about the end result coming up.
Finding a way to be passionate about any part of your job is crucial and it actually helps me finish the mundane tasks I have to go through quicker. So instead of checking out the latest hockey news I can fire through all the tedious stuff and get back to working on what I want to and achieving the end results sooner.
BTW, i’ve been a big lurker on many blogs for a while but I really connected with this article so I am a lurker no more!
March 23rd, 2007
The hardest part of it all is having to walk away from that one infectious idea that I can’t let go of and that takes so much effort to push it out of the way.
If there is one thing designed to make you unproductive it is a desire to finish something else you have started, something unrelated to the things that really need to be done in the real world.
March 24th, 2007
After reading the lines with your physics outcome I’m looking with blank stares. However important is you are doing what your heart tells you.
March 24th, 2007
hurm… give me a time to think!!
well, it just that I’m taking general mechanical engineering back in collage, its seem now i’m interested with financing + this site and coding…
honestly i;m 23 and just starting to know and learn basic coding or web application, when hearing stories from all of you, one question come to mind nerve, is it really hard mingling in this arena?
somehow and somewhat happen it just make me feel anxious and more ambitious about all this thing. i just can’t wait to merge into this world which all of you took part long ago, i guest so!!
but, its really a good wisdom of word to hear from you, steve!!
March 24th, 2007
I read “physics” and went “oh, shiny things in the sky, up in the sky!...” Everything has pros and cons, tho report writing is the worst part of any project!
March 26th, 2007
I was just about to quit this industry, after 8 years of improductivity. I’ve always been fascinated about the american web design scene. Here in spain, you better don’t dare to speak about standards, accesibility or budgets of 4 cyphers. If you manage to get $100 for a full blown website, think about being lucky. Our “professional web designers” work with phpnuke and template monster. How would you feel?
March 27th, 2007
Interesting thoughts. Even though you and I have some things in common (though we are VERY different in many othe ways), including our proclivities toward ADD, I am convinced that doing anything entrepeneurial would be absolutely impossible for me. I am a manager, not an administrator, and I also am a procrastinator. Add that to ADD and you have a frightening combination. Sometimes (thought not very often), I think the only thing that keeps me working is the pure social pressure of sanction if I do not perform – whether at FHBC or at CU. That being said, I absolutely LOVE what I do – as I believe you do, overall. Teaching and preaching are like web development in that way – while the process of preparatiion can be very tedious (though it does not have to be), the outcome can be glorious. Being in front of students or folks, and being able to teach/encourage/motivate, and maybe even on some occasions just show off :), is pretty intriguing. Unlike you, however, I will always work for someone. The good thing is – I love what I do, and I could do it for a very long time, even if my health is only adequate as I enter my declining years! Give all of our love to Carrie and Jackson. Do you have any special plans around the Easter weekend?
March 27th, 2007
Wow, ditto all around on that, I always forget why I’m doing client work and always see it as more of a chore.
April 1st, 2007
Coming out of lurk mode to say thanks. Lovely post. You put the bounce back in my step. :)
April 8th, 2007