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Heh, thats about right. Think it's the amazing amount of time we spend in artificial light with loads of rubbish coffee and programs that don't want to work. Normally because of other people's code I hasten to add... I've seen programmers punching and headbutting their screens quite hard while screaming all the best swear words at the top of their lungs. One was my old MD (he was a programmer so had a soft spot for us).

Cheers

I can definately agree that programmers swear a sh*t load. I'm sure there were times I could even have made a sailor blush with my language!

lack of proper software... spending time with friends... that feeling you get when your doing some modeling or something where one thing is out of place and you just feel like not wanting to work... and my other medium, filming (which i'm much better at )

main thing that kills my projects, is my sheer personal inability to focus. Not so much that I get bored, or even stop what I'm doing .. just it's too easy to get side-tracked with something else I find peaks my interest.

So end up with half a dozen unfinished projects, that by the time I go full circle back to my interest in that given project is already lost somewhere in my masses of backup hard disks.

Only thing that ever seems to keep me focused is working with others. They tend to keep me on a single project rather than side-tracking. Like recently, started a 3D modeling app project; cause Maya isn't co-operating on Vista (8.5 refuses to install claiming old ISSetup) but just as I got to the UI and tool scripting system that uses XML in the background I thought "man, this would be cool if it was translated to desktop".. which then had me an hour later fooling about with the Linux kernel code, followed by using Silverlight to create a replica of the Xbox 360 dashboard.

I know I've got to finish 2 projects within a fairly strict deadline, but just my mind wandered. Atleast this time I only lost a day, rather than weeks or months that can happen.
Back to the original projects now, that gotta be finished.

Yep, thats about right. I basically cannot think of anything else for a while, even interrupting sleeping at times, just because of this great idea (even if it's not original or anything; thats not important). Then after a while (days/weeks/whatever) you get another one, making it difficult to concentrate or even continue what you are doing (if you are not getting paid for it). It's always "I will just put this to one side for a day or two..." or "I can multitask and basically do a bit of one and then the other". Nah, never works out.

And yeah, I constantly wonder where things have gone. I *think* that cool project from 1991 (I kid you not) is on this disk in this cupboard, and that effort I was doing in 2001 is on this computer, but on the other hand both could be backed up on those machines I put a sledgehammer through last winter when I moved house. Doh.

Overall though I would agree with Raven about it's easier to focus with other people. One thing I'm doing in the background is getting a help file created from someone I know. Which is good, as I hate that sort of thing. The project is pretty interesting so I carry on (getting harder though....). But in my opinion the biggest motivator is cash. If you are getting paid (well) then you can move mountains of mundane code even with the best ideas in your head. Which is what I'm doing at the moment. Designing a way to handle CCA (credit cards) encryption and CV2 security numbers on our 6000+ program system. Yawn. Bit itchy about this other hobby idea I have, but will have to wait. I like my gadgets and, erm, food and stuff

Cheers

It's sometimes good to deliberatelly start a new project with the knowledge that you wont finish it. If you get bored of what you are doing (which you will if it gets big), take a break, and make something else small that you know you will quickly get bored of. After that, try continuing your other project.

True. That said, it's not the "promise" of money that many independant developers offer; but something guarenteed that will motivate me.

I've start numerous shareware style projects, but because there's no guarentee at the end of it. Very difficult to take it as seriously as if I was on contract. Right now this is something I'm working towards, and hopefully I'll be able to stick to it enough for the end results to be worth it.

Atleast with things like Steam, and Marketplace there's no real worry about market exposure, delivery or payment systems. Both are extremely good for independant developers.. just a case of hoping the gamble of putting off full-time work will be worth what can be brought in. I did approach TGC about 2years ago about developing a system for them alone the same lines, so that they could release their current products better and provide TGC Developers with a system that would show them a realistic end result for those working towards retail.

iirc Rick told me that realistically they didn't see a need for such a system. With Steam and Marketplace now doing so well that many companies are trying to copy the formula, his decision to me seems a little narrow minded. That said perhaps the traffic here wouldn't really have brought the revenue in to warrent such a product. I still stand by that it is a good idea, especially if they ever decide to introduce this "tier" system they asked us about a few months back.

Yeah, thats what I meant. I was comparing a few hobby programs I do for pleasure compared to what I program all day at work. Last big thing for work was the ability to book (and price) different type cars on ferries through a ferry CRS system (EuroStar is a good example of a company with a CRS that people will have heard of). Trust me apart from looking through the supported car list (always fun to muck around) it held very little interesting code. Luckily I am a coding junky and anything to me is okish. But it's not exactly something cool in DB or VB which I'm thinking about in the back of my head. Luckily I am on guarenteed money so it helps a hell of a lot. The promise of money would suck in comparison, even if the project was much more appealing.

Cheers

I learned about the "Four Principles" first from my soccer coach when I was 11yo. I find that time & time again, anything that I fail to achieve in my life comes back to my not committing and sticking to these principles, somewhere along the way.

I have "planned" for success and have reaped rewards in life.
I have also "planned" for failure -(whether by direct action/decisiveness or inaction/indecision) - just as many times - if not more.

The difference...
To succeed at something it requires all 4 completely - To fail at anything it only takes missing a fraction of 1.

The four "P"'s are
1. Preparation
2. Passion
3. Persistence
4. Patience


(I'll do my best to paraphrase)

1. Preparation - Takes into account understanding and realizing at the most honest level what is required to achieve a given task a all phases. It includes the planning, education, knowledge, of all the tools & resources that it will take you to reach your goal.

2. Passion - You must be passionate with regard to "ALL" aspects of the each of the individual tasks that will lead you to success. This includes the steps that are unpleasant, boring, daunting, painful & fear invoking. Passion=Desire=belief=faith, this is the measure of "true heart". Even if you have done all the preparation possible, you will not reach your goal without true belief in your objectives,

3. Persistence- You have to dedicate yourself to achieving your goal, knowing that you will be tempted to stray from your path at every step. Stay the course and avoid distractions. If you must back-step/side-step, maintain discipline and your bearing, redirect your sights upon the goal and be prepared for the opportunity to charge ahead at a moments notice.

4. Patience - When things are in motion and not static, it can be difficult to foresee how close or how far you are away from your goal. Have patience even in times where it may seem that your plan has failed. Remember, every plan at one point is failure until the final goal is reached. Yet, it is a fool who sticks to one path, where there are many. Throughout the entire process revisit steps 1, 2, & 3, and make adjustments when necessary, [for success not for convenience]. A moving problem, as is all of life's challenges, is constantly changing; Be stern... but maintain the flexibility to adapt to all situations. This includes being open-minded enough and "KNOWING" when to redefine the goal. Balancing "All Of This", will truly be a measure of your patience.



~zenassem

It sums me up quite a lot that I gave up reading your post about 1/3 into it.... sigh

Cheers

Sorry Dazzag! It's all good!

I have an ability to hyper-focus when it comes to reading & writing. So I have a hard time judgeing T.M.I. (Too Much Information). I am told that on a regular basis. I can honestly read fairly quickly (Despite my ailments), and always have.

As long as I am reading, writing, drawing, flapping-my-gums or coding I can tune almost anything including any anxieties, & responsibilities out. It's a blessing and a curse. Hope the judges are prepared for my Text Adventure!!!

Unfortunately, my mind drifts across all of them at the same time.

Hence, my failures in following the principles I mentioned! Ironic, I suppose.

Hah! You and me both.

Yep. I always give seemingly good advice that seems to work for a lot of people, but personally don't normally practice what I preach.

Cheers