I am struck with a standard programming problem. I can create (almost) anything I know is possible that I can dream of. But, I have no idea what I want to create. I have permanent coder's block. And hate it. I was wondering if you guys could help me out. I'd love to create a tech news website, a community, or some such things. But, whenever I get in the mood to create something, thinking about those things makes me cringe because I realize that I don't believe I could come up with original articles, don't think I have the resources to get news as fast as say modmyi/endgaget/CNET. I also have never been very good at advertising so I can't see where I would put my script to use. I would probably end up giving up and selling the custom CMS script and the rights to it. But, whether or not it has to do with this idea, please give me your thoughts. I am open to suggestions about starting a tech news site as well as suggestions for other niches I may use. I would love it if I could make money off a niche, and gain popularity, but I do everything by hand and I find advertising tedious/unrewarding sometimes. What have you found to be an effective, free way to advertise? This script does not necessarily have to be a money earner. That's what my freelancing job is for. I mainly want to do it for fun and skill-building. But some money would be nice. Anyone care to share their thoughts?
You make me sad, mostly because your own sadness is obvious. How old are you? Can you not think of something purposeful to do that you know from experience is a common need in your age group?
I'm not sad, more yearning for a handle in the world wide web. I continuously go from script to script. Trying to find something that holds my interest for more than a day. Something I can be proud of. Something I can make great. But, I continuously go through the same process. Develop, tire of, and sell, repeat. All of my domains basically turn into collections of random projects that have hardly seen the light of day. With a landing page that says "Coming soon!". But, it never comes. I always enjoy programming the site, the CMS, the system, more than I do actually running it. Every need I ever think of that I would actually be capable of fixing, I find to be solved by another person already. Which makes me lose my drive.
There are two ways to address the problem you face. The first one says.... Our mind and effort is limited by our own stumbling blocks and we ourselves put unnecessary hurdles in our efforts thinking that certain things are beyond my capacity and leave it without even giving it our best shot. The best strategy at times would be to not think much and go all hog at accomplishing your objectives.... in your case taking up the marketing/advertising without a second thought. The second one says... It is sometimes foolhardy to focus on things which you are not able to do and instead you should learn to derive the maximum joy and pleasure from what you are able to do effortlessly... in your case, it would be just continue creating scripts and solving such scripting problem for others on a freelancing basis. What is the need to focus on others' capabilities of completing a full project when you can derive satisfaction by helping them completing their own projects? I hope you get my drift. Pick and choose whichever works best for you! Regards, RightMan
With that added information, now I think you just sound like you're burned out. Can you get away from working for a while? Take a vacation? Go to a professional conference of some sort where you might meet with ideas that could inspire you? Since I don't code (can't even deal with the results thereof, usually), it's hard to empathize, but it kind of sounds like you could actually use a career change. Wish I really could say something to make a difference, but I'm afraid that Duh! is about all I can manage.