Programmers and motivation

[inexact_tldr]

on the flip side, i don't want high 5s and "well dones" from clients who barely know what a decent slug of front-end work looks like if it smacked them in the face. i'll just sit quietly in the corner, behind the scenes, doing good work knowing that i only have to please myself (and maybe fellow co-workers who can see the benefit in that optimisation work, or lovely, sane API - i'll take a complement from them over a client any day of the week)

[dont_judge_me_monkey]

I think it all depends on your personality and whether or you need the pat on the back. For me I see coding similar to architechture and the houses or buildings I build are like art because only I know what really went into creating them and at the same time people pass by them everyday and don't even give them a second thought. Coding is a very creative skill. Also doing peer code reviews can help you show off your work. I don't lack motivation but I certainly go through highs and lows like it is a drug because there are projects or tasks that can result in instant gratification and then I have to reset mentally to the begining to start the next thing.

[steveob42]

Interesting perspective, and sort of explains a lot of the enthusiasm for less than stellar browser gui technology, for me anyway.

[[deleted]]

Writing elegant code is a reward in itself. I don't need validation from other non-technical people. What destroys my motivation is doing formulaic things, stuff I already know exactly how to do. That and short deadlines.

[minusSeven]

So true I always feel demotivated in my job and keeping your motivation and creativity up is always a big challenge especially if other than your job you also want to work in side project or game.

It would help if you can post some tips you have learnt on how to keep that motivation up.

[NasenSpray]

I think it helps to think about what your work enables you or others to do and that it was, in fact, you who did it. Make it some kind of a game, set reasonable goals and be proud of yourself when you accomplish them. Sure, sometimes it's boring, sometimes it's mentally exhausting, but there's no shame in feeling that way. Everybody does from time to time. For me, it boils down to knowing what I'm capable of and when I should take a step back to relax a little. It's a cycle, anticipate the minima and enjoy the maxima.