Reading through the comments, it seems a significant factor in success is perceived to be the availability of free time. This aligns with my own observations. However, as a father of young children, I wonder if there are examples of life plans that successfully combine family with exciting, successful software projects. I can only think of outstanding programmers who, during the prime of their creative work, were (apparently) free, unattached individuals without (forgive my blunt assumption) significant family ties. Am I mistaken? Are there counterexamples? In my experience, the most relevant skill one develops (and must develop) as a father is discipline and time management. Surely, that has to count for something, right?
I haven’t built amazing things, but I had opportunity for success even though I had children early in life. I’m now 48 and my youngest child moved out last weekend. Being an empty nester will give me even more opportunities.
A few tips off the top of my head…
Always set aside a “space” for your work. Mine has been as small as a drawer dedicated to my laptop and headphones. The more comfortable your space the better but it doesn’t need to be complex.
When my children were very young, my wife and I decided to get them in the habit of going to bed early. This gave us a couple hours of free time every night.
I’m a morning person so I wake up early, before everyone else in my house. I still get 7 or 8 hours of sleep. I’m most productive these two morning hours.
Dedicate some work time. For me, it’s morning.
Try to read more or do something else that stimulates your brain. My brain is much more active when I’m reading. I know, this is time you could be working, but for me it gets the mind moving. This should probably NOT be during your work time though.
I’ve had some mild success that I now consider failures. See my post, How to Lose Money With 25 Years of Failed Businesses:
I think it's more-or-less accepted that most extraordinarily accomplished people remained single throughout their lives. Intuitively it makes sense, though it doesn't mean you can't become greatly successful even with family commitments.
Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two people who are very successful and prolific, who also have several children.
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Reading through the comments, it seems a significant factor in success is perceived to be the availability of free time. This aligns with my own observations. However, as a father of young children, I wonder if there are examples of life plans that successfully combine family with exciting, successful software projects. I can only think of outstanding programmers who, during the prime of their creative work, were (apparently) free, unattached individuals without (forgive my blunt assumption) significant family ties. Am I mistaken? Are there counterexamples? In my experience, the most relevant skill one develops (and must develop) as a father is discipline and time management. Surely, that has to count for something, right?
I haven’t built amazing things, but I had opportunity for success even though I had children early in life. I’m now 48 and my youngest child moved out last weekend. Being an empty nester will give me even more opportunities.
A few tips off the top of my head…
Always set aside a “space” for your work. Mine has been as small as a drawer dedicated to my laptop and headphones. The more comfortable your space the better but it doesn’t need to be complex.
When my children were very young, my wife and I decided to get them in the habit of going to bed early. This gave us a couple hours of free time every night.
I’m a morning person so I wake up early, before everyone else in my house. I still get 7 or 8 hours of sleep. I’m most productive these two morning hours.
Dedicate some work time. For me, it’s morning.
Try to read more or do something else that stimulates your brain. My brain is much more active when I’m reading. I know, this is time you could be working, but for me it gets the mind moving. This should probably NOT be during your work time though.
I’ve had some mild success that I now consider failures. See my post, How to Lose Money With 25 Years of Failed Businesses:
https://joeldare.com/how-to-lose-money-with-25-years-of-fail...
I think it's more-or-less accepted that most extraordinarily accomplished people remained single throughout their lives. Intuitively it makes sense, though it doesn't mean you can't become greatly successful even with family commitments.
Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two people who are very successful and prolific, who also have several children.
Writers are the most common counter-example I can think of for this. There were many prolific, successful writers who had multiple children.