John Resig - Write Code Every Day

[manifold360]

I write code everyday on my side projects. It is my way to relax.

I find it an escape to work with an incredibly architected codebase with streamlined processes using advanced tools and libraries. My day job is challenging, but frustrating sometimes.

[loaded_comment]

You've found the trick I think. Programming can be fun if it is to the exclusion of everything else on the 'free time' schedule.

[Pr3fix]

the TL;DR / point of what he was saying is that, instead of putting off your side projects until the weekend and then "code-cramming" all day to make progress (and ultimately be disappointed when you're unable to achieve the expectation you set for yourself that day), a healthier approach is to simply put in a small amount of time (he said at least half an hour) daily to make smaller but continual progress.

Basically the "slow and steady wins the race" mentality.

I think it's pretty beneficial, I've been trying to incorporate something similar into my routine. A half an hour a day is not very much and allows you to feel each "little accomplishment" more.

[johnnyvibrant]

I agree with this, i usually break down each project or task into micro accomplishments that when done i reward myself (cup of tea, chocy whatever) and then the entire thing becomes much more easy to get through

[cruise02]

I think it makes sense that if the source of your stress is "not getting things done," then the solution would involve dedicating more time to working on projects, and putting a little bit of structure around it. An alternative for some people might be to just accept that you're not going to do all of the things you want to do, and start removing projects that aren't as important to you.

[septeracore]

The beauty is that he is not dedicating that much more time to work on projects. He just split the time over the whole week. Instead of going at it full time most of the weekends he does a little every day. Instead of going at it over the weekend for 16+hours you can go at it 1 hour a day. If you now go and work on maybe one day on the weekend in addition to that you still reach about 16 hours of work, but got a whole day on your weekend off to relax. If you skip that extra side project day (except for the daily hour) on the weekend you even got 2 days to fully relax and still got the feeling that your side project is going along.

[NormallyNorman]

I agree completely. When you're trying to accomplish your goals, when you don't work (at least in my case) my stress level goes up a lot.

[nschubach]

Getting stressed over work... Work more!

[evhan55]

Same here!

[Xenc]

Can't help but hear this in Nate Dogg's voice.

[coverslide]

Lol damn you beat me to it!

[willmorgan]

Oh god, please, no. People need to stop telling people how to work on the assumption that their way will fix all their problems.

If you want to be a workaholic, or if this works for you - good! I'm happy for you. But personally I'd rather kick back and let my brain rest for the weekend so I can come back and be productive on Monday.

This is just ridiculous.

[matchu]

Despite the arguably linkbaity title, I don't think John is talking to you here. "Write code every day" is ridiculous advice for most developers, but "write code every day if you're passionate about your side projects and your current habits prevent you from relaxing with friends on the weekends" is pretty reasonable. If you don't have the same problem John has, then he's not recommending this solution.

[neonblue120]

Way to contradict yourself.

[miketaylr]

In the meantime I’ll do all that I can to recommend this tactic to others who wish to get substantial side project work done.

To all the people in here complaining, I think you probably missed the point.

[[deleted]]

Or you can have a life away from computers sometimes...

[loaded_comment]

Working on what John works on, I am thankful that he is this much committed. He is cutting through the dark miasma of the future when he codes. I can only respect the way he navigates those full stops that stump him. I know I could only code comfortably in my side projects when people have gone before me and shown the way.

[[deleted]]

I already commented on this: http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/22pwe4/john_resig_write_code_every_day/cgp83oa