The 9-to-5 life is not your only option.
I used to think it was. Wake up, go to work, come home tired, watch Netflix, repeat. Maybe someday I'd have time to build something meaningful.
Then last week happened.
In just seven days, while managing my full-time job, I:
- Found my cofounder
- Joined my first hackathon
- Built a subscription reminder app
- Rebuilt a Chrome extension for founders
- Created Discourage.me (yes, that's a real thing)
And honestly, it was the most exciting week I've had in months.
This isn't about having superhuman productivity. It's about realizing that you don't have to choose between financial security and building your dreams.
The Lie We Tell Ourselves
"I don't have time to build anything meaningful."
I hear this from developers all the time. They think building products requires quitting their job, working 80-hour weeks, or having unlimited free time.
But here's what actually happened last week:
Monday: Spent 2 hours after work discussing ideas with my potential cofounder
Tuesday: 1 hour planning our hackathon project during lunch
Wednesday: 3 hours in the evening building the subscription app
Thursday: 1.5 hours refining features and fixing bugs
Friday: 2 hours at the hackathon event
Weekend: 6 hours total working on the Chrome extension and Discourage.me
Total time invested: 15.5 hours
That's less than 3 hours per day. Yet we accomplished more in one week than I had in the previous month.
The difference? Momentum and focus.
What Changed Everything
Finding My Cofounder
This was the game-changer.
For months, I had been building alone. Progress was slow, motivation came and went, and I constantly second-guessed my decisions.
With a cofounder, everything accelerated:
- Ideas flow faster when you have someone to bounce them off
- You're accountable to someone other than yourself
- Different perspectives lead to better solutions
- The workload gets shared
Most importantly: You have someone who believes in the vision as much as you do.
Joining the Hackathon
I had never done a hackathon before.
I thought they were for college students or unemployed developers with unlimited time. Turns out, many participants have day jobs.
What I learned:
- Time constraints force you to focus on what matters
- You can build impressive things in just a few hours
- The energy from other builders is contagious
- You meet people who share your mindset
The subscription reminder app we built isn't perfect, but it works. And we built it in one evening.
Building Multiple Projects
Instead of getting stuck perfecting one idea, we started shipping fast.
The Chrome extension for founders: We rebuilt an existing tool that we thought could be better. Total time: 4 hours.
Discourage.me: A satirical website that does exactly what it sounds like. Total time: 2 hours.
Neither project will make us rich. But both taught us something and kept us moving forward.
The Real Problem Isn't Time
Everyone has the same 24 hours.
The difference between people who build things and people who don't isn't time - it's mindset.
The Stuck Mindset:
- "I'll start when I have more time"
- "I need to quit my job first"
- "I don't know enough yet"
- "What if it doesn't work?"
- "I'll wait until I have the perfect idea"
The Builder Mindset:
- "I'll start with what I have"
- "I can build while keeping my safety net"
- "I'll learn by doing"
- "What if it does work?"
- "I'll start with any idea and improve as I go"
The stuck mindset keeps you comfortable. The builder mindset creates possibilities.
How to Break Free From the Routine
Start With Something Small
Don't try to build the next Facebook on your first try.
Start with projects you can finish in a weekend:
- A simple web app that solves one problem
- A Chrome extension that improves your workflow
- A tool that you personally need
- A fun project that makes you laugh (like Discourage.me)
Small projects teach you big lessons:
- How to ship fast
- How to handle technical challenges
- How to get user feedback
- How to iterate quickly
Build Projects That Excite You
If you're not excited about what you're building, you won't stick with it.
Don't build something because you think it will make money. Build something because you can't stop thinking about it.
Ask yourself:
- What problems frustrate you daily?
- What tools do you wish existed?
- What would you build if money wasn't a factor?
- What makes you curious to learn more?
Excitement is sustainable. Obligation is not.
Join Events to Learn and Grow
You can't do this alone.
Find your local developer meetups, startup events, or online communities. The energy from being around other builders is irreplaceable.
What I gained from my first hackathon:
- New technical skills
- Different approaches to problem-solving
- Connections with other builders
- Proof that I could build fast when I had to
Even if you don't win, you grow.
Find a Partner Who Shares Your Vision
This might be the most important step.
A cofounder isn't just someone to help with the work. It's someone who believes in the future you're trying to create.
Look for someone who:
- Gets excited about the same problems
- Has complementary skills
- Is willing to commit real time
- Shares your values and work ethic
Don't rush this. The right partnership can change everything.
Document Your Journey
Share what you're building and learning.
This isn't about self-promotion. It's about:
- Staying accountable to your goals
- Connecting with others on similar journeys
- Getting feedback on your ideas
- Building an audience for your future products
Your journey can inspire others to start theirs.
The Truth About Time Management
You don't need more time. You need better priorities.
Here's how I found 15+ hours last week without sacrificing my day job:
Eliminated Time Wasters:
- Cut Netflix from 2 hours to 30 minutes daily
- Reduced mindless social media scrolling
- Stopped playing mobile games during breaks
- Said no to social events that didn't matter
Used Dead Time:
- Planned projects during commute
- Listened to startup podcasts while exercising
- Had cofounder calls during lunch breaks
- Coded while waiting for laundry
Batched Similar Tasks:
- Did all research in one session
- Coded similar features together
- Handled communications at set times
- Planned the entire week on Sunday
The time was always there. I just wasn't using it intentionally.
Why Small Wins Become Addictive
Every project you finish proves something to yourself.
After building the subscription app: "I can actually create something people might use."
After the Chrome extension: "I can improve existing tools."
After Discourage.me: "I can build something fun in just a couple hours."
Each win builds confidence for the next challenge.
Success creates momentum. Momentum creates more success.
Once you start, the progress becomes addictive.
The Investment That Pays Forever
Investing in your ideas is the best choice you can make.
Your day job pays you for your time. Your side projects can pay you forever.
But even if your projects never make money, you gain:
- New technical skills
- Experience shipping products
- A network of fellow builders
- Confidence in your abilities
- Stories worth telling
These benefits compound over time.
What You Can Start This Week
Day 1-2: Choose Your First Project
Pick something small you can finish in a weekend. Don't overthink it.
Day 3-4: Find Your People
Join one online community or local meetup. Start connecting with other builders.
Day 5-6: Start Building
Dedicate 2-3 hours to actually creating something. Don't worry about perfection.
Day 7: Share What You Learned
Post about your experience on social media or in a community. Document the journey.
That's it. One week to change your trajectory.
The Choice Is Yours
You can stay comfortable in your routine.
Wake up, work, come home, watch TV, repeat. It's safe. It's predictable. It's also limiting.
Or you can start building something great.
Use your evenings and weekends to create instead of consume. Find people who share your vision. Build projects that excite you.
The 9-to-5 life doesn't have to be your only life.
You can have financial security AND work on meaningful projects. You can build while you learn. You can start before you're ready.
But you have to start.
What are you going to build first?
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Your future self is counting on the decisions you make today.