HACKER Q&A
📣 241010throwaway

How to get excited after you've become successful?


I'm married, own a home, have a toddler, and work as a senior software engineer for a well-known tech company making $300k a year. But I find myself just playing not to lose anymore: What do I need to do to keep my boss off my back (and keep those big paychecks coming in), keep my wife from getting angry at me over stupid things, ensure my kid is taken care of, and ensure our hyperactive dog doesn't destroy the house. Nothing motivates me anymore, and whenever I think of doing this or that, I'm just like... eh, why? I've already won. I'll just play video games instead (assuming I'm not fighting one of the previously mentioned fires)

But I wasn't always this way. There's been plenty of times in my life where I'm motivated and excited for the next thing in life, whether it's learning new tech, or having a child, or trying new ideas, like starting a YouTube channel.

For all the successful people here: How do you keep yourself excited and focused on growth?

  👤 bentocorp Accepted Answer ✓
That's aging.

When you're young you spend a lot of your time proving that you can achieve what you believe you can achieve - both for yourself and as social proof to everyone else.

Once you've done that, and are comfortable with who you are and no longer feel you need to prove your worth, you need other motivations.

At that point 'growth' may come in different forms.

Go on a holiday, give yourself time to rediscover some interests and passions.

Or just be content that you have achieved what you spent a lot of your time trying to achieve.

👤 nosmokewhereiam
Angel invest into small companies using your knowledge to nudge things politely. If growing gets old, create I guess..
👤 nullindividual
> How do you keep yourself excited and focused on growth?

Do something that connects you with the greater world. For me? Hiking and traveling in a State with a lifetime of natural wonders to explore.

Try nature. See how amenable it is to you.

(I also play video games... too much)