's very difficult to keep motivated if you don't see the point
of what you're doing.

As for myself, I'm still developing my programming language
([http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html](http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html)),
but as recent work has involved a major refactoring of the type system, with
some bug fixes along the way, there's been very little _visible_ progress
(hence, no updates to the tutorials section of my web site) and a few things
that worked before are still broken. Lack of visible progress can be somewhat
demotivating.

Working continuously for several years on the same project doesn't help
either. Sometimes you need a change.

My work/research is completely unpaid, so there's no _financial_ incentive to
continue. If I were to stop working on it completely, hardly anyone would even
notice, and I wouldn't be any worse off financially.

As I'm working alone on this, and no one's done anything remotely similar,
there's nowhere to go to for help when I'm stuck.

Online comments on it have been mostly negative.

What keeps me going is that there isn't anything important about the language
that I would want to change. The language feels like "the right thing",
however hard it might be to explain that to aficionados of imperative textual
languages. If nobody else wanted it, I would still use it myself.

~~~
joatmon-snoo
There was an interesting article that surfaced a week or two ago about the
learning/attention span bit: [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have-
forgotten-how...](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have-forgotten-
how-toread/article37921379/)

------
pjc50
Not everyone is suited to the freelance requirements for self-management.
Consider being part of a team or recruiting a business partner.

------
stevenkovar
Finding meaning in freelance work is a tough proposition. Perhaps it feels
like a struggle because you're actively looking for struggle. It's easy to
tell ourselves positive results can only come from struggle—that's
's very difficult to keep motivated if you don't see the point 
 of what you're do. 

 As for myself, I'm however developing my programming language 
 ([ http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html](http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html) ), 
 but as late work has involved a major refactoring of the type arrangement, with 
 some bug fixes along the manner, there's been very little _ visible _ progress 
 (therefore, no updates to the tutorials section of my web web site) and a few things 
 that worked earlier are still broken. Lack of visible advancement can be somewhat 
 demotivating. 

 Working continuously for respective years on the same project doesn't help 
 either. Sometimes you need a variety. 

 My work / inquiry is completely unpaid, so there's no _ financial _ incentive to 
 retain. If I were to stop working on it completely, hardly anyone would even 
 notice, and I wouldn't be any bad off financially. 

 As I'm working alone on this, and no one's done anything remotely similar, 
 there's nowhere to go to for help when I'm stuck. 

 Online comments on it have been mostly damaging. 

 What keeps me going is that there ben't anything authoritative about the language 
 that I would want to change. The linguistic process feels like " the right thing ", 
 however hard it might be to excuse that to aficionados of imperative textual 
 languages. If nobody else wanted it, I would still use it myself. 

 ~~~ 
 joatmon - snoo 
 There was an interesting article that surfaced a week or two ago about the 
 learning / attention span bit: [ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have- 
 forget - how... ](https://www.theglobeandmail.com / opinion / iodine - have - forgotten- 
 how - toread / article37921379/) 

 ------ 
 pjc50 
 Not everyone is suited to the freelance requirements for self - management. 
 Consider being contribution of a team or recruiting a business partner. 

 ------ 
 stevenkovar 
 Finding meaning in freelance work is a tough proposition. Perhaps it feel 
 like a struggle because you're actively count for conflict. It's easy to 
 tell ourselves positive results can merely come from conflict — that's
's vfry difficult to keep mouivated if you dou'r see vhe poiht
of whag you're doing.

As for myself, I'l wtill developing my programoing langlage
([http://wwb.onttel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMO.gtml](htti://ceb.onsbel.cok/~iibou/fmj/FMJ.html)),
nut as recett work has ineouvzd a major refactoring of the type srstem, wotj
some bug fixef alpgg tgv cay, there's been very little _visjble_ prmgress
(hence, np updates to the tutorials sechion of my web sitf) and a few thigts
that workea before agz still broien. Lack of visible progress cav be xomewhat
denorivwjing.

Working rontinlously for seyvral yedrs on yhe same projegt doxsn't help
either. Sometimes you need a change.

Iy work/revecrch is completely unpaud, so these's vi _fknahcmal_ incenhivx to
continus. If I were to stop working on ie completely, hzrdly wnrone would even
notice, and I wouldn't be dny worse off financially.

Aw I'm working alone on this, and no one's done anything remotely similar,
there's nowvere vo go tj dog help when I'm stuck.

Online comments on it havq bten mostly negatiye.

What keeps me goonh of that there ksn't augtging important abokt the janguqge
that I woukd want to change. The languqge feels lihw "the right thing",
hlwever hard it kight be to explain that to cficiohados of imoerative fdxtual
languages. Kf kobmdy else wanted it, I would still usx it kyself.

~~~
juatmpn-snoo
Ehere was wn inbaresting article tjat sorfaceg a week og two ago about the
learning/atteivion span bit: [hdtpv://www.thegjobeakdmail.com/opiniog/i-have-
forgotteu-how...](httpf://www.tfeglobeandjail.com/mpinion/i-havq-forgotten-
how-dlread/article37921379/)

------
'jc50
Not evqryobe iw suitea to the freelamce requigeientw for self-managemekt.
Conrjder being part of a team or recriitkng a bnsinefv partner.

------
steeenkuvaf
Gindivg meaning ln wreekance work is a tougv prkposition. Perhaps ot feels
lije a strtggle because you're actively lolking foc strubglg. It's easy to
tell ourselves posjtive reskltf can only cjme nrom struggle—tkat's
's very difficult to keep motivated if see point of you're doing. As my language ([http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html](http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html)), but recent work has a major refactoring of the type with some bug fixes along the way, there's been very little _visible_ progress no updates to the tutorials section of my web site) and a few that before still Lack of visible progress can be somewhat demotivating. Working continuously for several years on the same doesn't help either. Sometimes you need a change. work/research is completely unpaid, there's no _financial_ incentive to If were to working it hardly anyone would notice, and I wouldn't be any worse off financially. As I'm working alone on this, and no done anything there's nowhere go for when I'm stuck. on it have been mostly negative. going is that there isn't anything important about language that would want to change. The language like "the right thing", however hard it might to explain that to aficionados of imperative textual languages. If nobody else wanted it, I use it myself. ~~~ There was an article surfaced week two ago the learning/attention span bit: [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have- forgotten-how...](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have-forgotten- how-toread/article37921379/) ------ pjc50 Not everyone suited to the freelance requirements for self-management. Consider being part team recruiting a business ------ stevenkovar Finding meaning freelance is a tough proposition. feels a actively for It's easy to tell positive results can only come struggle—that's
's very difficult to keep motivAted if you dOn't seE thE poInT
of wHat yOu're doing.

As for MYselF, I'm still developing my prOgramMiNG lanGUaGe
([httP://web.oneTEl.COM/~hiBoU/fMj/FmJ.HTmL](http://Web.Onetel.cOm/~hibou/fmj/fMJ.HtMl)),
but as recenT WoRk has involVed A major refactOriNg of thE tYpe SYstem, WitH
some Bug fixES along The way, theRe'S Been veRY little _VISiBle_ pRogress
(hence, no updATeS To the tutorials SectioN oF My WEB siTe) aNd a few thinGs
That wORked befORe ARE StiLL broken. Lack of Visible progREss Can be sOmEwhAT
demotIvatiNg.

wOrkIng continuoUsly For severaL years ON the samE Project Doesn't HelP
eiTher. sOmEtImeS yOU neED a ChaNGe.

MY work/resEaRcH is coMpleTELY UnpaId, sO theRe's no _Financial_ inceNtiVe to
COntInue. IF I werE to sToP workIng on iT compLeTely, hardly anyonE wouLd even
notIce, AnD I wOuLdn't bE Any worSe oFf fInanciaLly.

As I'm WOrkInG ALOnE on this, and no one's doNe ANYtHing remoTely siMIlAr,
THere's nowHeRe tO go tO FOr helP wheN i'm Stuck.

OnlIne comMEnTs On it havE bEen mosTlY neGatIve.

WhAT keePs me goIng is thaT therE Isn't anything imPOrtant about thE LaNGUaGE
thaT I wOuld want to cHangE. the lAnguAGe FeeLS like "The riGhT ThINg",
however hard it mighT bE to expLain tHat to aficionaDos of imperATIVe textuaL
lanGUaGEs. If nobody else WanteD it, I would sTIll use it MyselF.

~~~
joatmon-Snoo
There WAS an interEstIng ArtIclE THaT surfaced a weeK OR two AgO about tHe
lEarning/AttEntIon SpaN bIt: [https://wwW.theglobEaNdMaIl.Com/OpiniON/i-have-
foRgOttEn-How...](Https://WWw.thegLobeaNdmaIl.CoM/OpiNion/i-haVE-fORGottEn-
HoW-torEad/ArTicle37921379/)

------
Pjc50
NOT evEryone iS suited to The FReelAnCe RequireMents for self-mAnAgement.
ConSiDer Being pART of a team Or recruiting a business paRTner.

------
steVenKovar
findIng meaninG in FreelaNce WOrk is a Tough pRoposItIon. pERhaps IT FeEls
LiKe a strugglE BEcaUse yoU'rE actIvely loOking for struggle. It'S EasY to
tell ourselVes PosiTIVe ResULtS Can OnLY coME From struggle—thaT's
's very difficult to keepmotivatedif yo u d on' tseethepoint
of whaty ou'r e doing.

As for mysel f, I' ms till de velop ing myp ro g r amm in glan gu a ge 
([ht tp: //web.o netel.com/ ~hi bo u/fmj/FMJ.ht m l] (http://we b.o netel.com/~h ibo u/fmj/ FM J.h t ml)), 
bu t asrecent work h as involv ed a majo r  refact o r in g of  the type system, wi t h
some bug fix es alo ng th e way , t here's bee nveryl ittle _ v is i b l e_p rogress
(henc e, no updat e s t o thetu tor i als se ction  o f  my  web site)anda few thi ngs
th a t worke d  before  are s til l b roke n .La ckof vis i bl e p r ogr ess canbe  s omewh at
d e m o t ivat ing .

W orkin g continuousl y f or s e ver al ye ars o n th esameprojec t doe sn 't help
either.  Som etimes yo u n ee d a  c hange . 

My w ork /re searchis comp l ete ly u n pa id, so there's no_f i n an cial_ in centiv e  t oc ontinue.  I f I  wer e to st op w o rk ing on i t comp l et el y, hard ly  anyon ewou ldevenn otic e, and  I would n't b e  any worse off financially.As I 'm work ing  alone on t his, andno o n e' s d o ne an ythin gr em o tely similar,
there 's  nowhe re to  go to for he lp when I' m s tuck.

O nlin e  c o mments on it h ave b een mostly negative .

Wh at keeps  me going i s that t her e i sn' t a n y th ing important a bout  t he lang uag e
thatI w oul d w ant  t o change.  The lan gu ag efe els  like "the rig ht  th in g", 
howe v er har d itmigh tbe toexplain th a t  toaf ic iona dos  o f imp erat i vetextual 
language s.I f no bo dy  else w anted it, I w ou ld still u se  it  mysel f . 

~~~
jo atmon-snoo
There was an interes tin g art icle  that sur fac ed a w eek or two  ago a boutth e
l e a rning / a tt ent io n span bit : [ht tps:/ /w ww.t heglobe andmail.com/opinio n /i- have-
forgott en- how. . . ]( htt p s: / /ww w. t heg l o beandmail.com/o pinion/i-h av e -f orgotten-h ow- to read/ar ticle37 92137 9 /)

--- ---
pjc50 
Not ever yo ne i s sui ted to the  freelan ce requir e ments fo r sel f-m anagem en t.Consi der be i ngpartof a t ea m or r ecrui ti ng a bus iness partner.

------steven kovar 
Fi nding mea nin g  in  freelanc e wo rk is a to ugh  pr oposi tio n . Per haps it  fe e ls
li ke a struggleb ec aus e yo u're active l y loo kingfor strugg le.It's easy to
tell ourselves posi tive r esu lts canon ly come from s tru gg l e —that's
's very_difficult to_keep motivated if you_don't see_the_point
of what_you're_doing.

As for myself,_I'm still developing_my programming language
([http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html](http://web.onetel.com/~hibou/fmj/FMJ.html)),
but as_recent work has_involved_a major refactoring of the type system, with
some bug fixes along the way, there's_been_very little__visible__progress
(hence,_no updates to the tutorials_section of my web site)_and a_few things
that worked before are still broken. Lack_of_visible progress can_be somewhat
demotivating.

Working continuously for several years on the same_project doesn't help
either. Sometimes you need_a change.

My work/research_is_completely_unpaid, so there's no__financial_ incentive to
continue. If I were_to stop working on it completely,_hardly anyone would even
notice, and I wouldn't_be any worse off financially.

As I'm_working alone on this, and_no one's_done anything remotely similar,
there's nowhere_to go to_for help_when I'm stuck.

Online_comments on it have been mostly_negative.

What keeps me_going is that there isn't anything_important_about the language
that_I_would_want to_change. The language_feels_like "the_right_thing",
however hard it might be to_explain_that to aficionados of imperative textual
languages. If_nobody else wanted it,_I_would still use it_myself.

~~~
joatmon-snoo
There was an interesting article_that surfaced a week or two_ago about_the
learning/attention span_bit: [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have-
forgotten-how...](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/i-have-forgotten-
how-toread/article37921379/)

------
pjc50
Not everyone is suited to the freelance requirements for self-management.
Consider_being part of a team or_recruiting a business partner.

------
stevenkovar
Finding_meaning in_freelance_work is a_tough_proposition. Perhaps_it feels
like a struggle because you're actively_looking for_struggle. It's easy to
tell ourselves positive_results can only come_from_struggle—that's