The motivation for programming is money. This is fine?

Question

Programming

Hi colleagues. I have a life question/problem. Maybe someone came across and something will tell.
I have been working as a web developer for over 3 years. I make websites, scripts, simple crm. I work in a studio on an hourly basis. I print in php.
The fact is that I am interested in working as a programmer by 30% - “hmm ... how does it work, and what if you do it like this” and by 70% - this is money. I can’t start learning something new, for example, Python, Ruby, if I don’t see that they will definitely pay me more for this. I lost interest at work (maybe because I have already learned how to solve almost all tasks at work, and there is nothing new). I want to have a good salary, to participate in big projects. But not for the sake of "interest", but for the sake of high pay. Yes, I began to learn puff, because at that time there was a pretty paid language, then interest arose. There was interest when I came only to work, when I had to sort things out a bit in projects. (interest and plus that would increase the salary) and now ... The problem is that I feel that I am slowly growing: the money does not increase and there is little new knowledge. There is little interest ... Who will advise the guys? Can anyone come across?

Answer 1

That's when you earn so much that is enough for all the banal needs, and 70% of the motivation suddenly disappears - that's when the real tin begins :-)
In addition to changing jobs to one that is interesting, there are no solutions and cannot be.

Answer 2

I believe that work should be fun. If this does not happen, then this is not the job.
At my first job, which brought me pleasure, I received $ 500, while I came earlier, left later, and had nothing for processing :)

Answer 3

To begin with, I believe that not everyone can be a programmer, if you succeed, consider this a great career opportunity.
Money is a good motivator. Yes, I also heard about non-material motivation and all that, but a person has certain needs, if they are not satisfied, there will be a bad feeling. It can be seen from the question that the author is uncomfortable, he seems to be apologizing that he wants to program for money, and not for an idea - this is wrong.
There is a programmer who works at the institute for 5 thousand a month, researches something and walks around happy. His needs are fully met, he works with dedication and smiles. I'm talking about a real person, the example is not abstract.
I would not be able to work like that, because I have other needs, even at a great job, I would not stay for 5 thousand a month.
I want to advise the author to understand for himself, to make a sincere confession, what he would do if he already had millions. When the answer is, this is the first step. Next, you need to decide on the amount that will cover current needs. Then we look at our goal, at the level of salary, and we begin to think and strive frantically.
This approach looks very "Western", so what? You can work on projects that change lives for the better and still earn good money, you just have to sweat until you find such a combination.

Answer 4

I recalled the words of Ivan Dembitsky:
“... The goal of“ making a project ”or“ building a store ”, etc. is a false goal. It involves a lot of work, but does not say anything about what you need to earn. The goal must be expressed in money. And Everything else - increasing professionalism, fame, creating a business, everything is just a means ... As soon as the goal is determined by money, and a specific amount, the brain begins to look for options for implementation ...
Once a financial goal has been set and a potential path has been found to solve it, you need to make a decomposition of the task, i.e. break it into small subtasks Set a deadline for solving the subtask and understand how much you need to do per day to implement this subtask And every day, step by step, follow the plan.
And one more thing: you should like this activity.
Don't even try to make money doing something you don't like. You just can't compete with those who are addicted to it."

Answer 5

> on an hourly wage.
Most likely, this is your main problem (not to mention a change of profession).
70% of your motivation is money (according to you), but at the same time, your salary (money) is not related to your level of professionalism and the quality of work. You worked your time - you got yours, there is no incentive to grow.
You need to make the level of your salary directly dependent on the level of professionalism. Switch to project-based payment, even if it is lower at the initial stage. We received the project - and you have the choice to do it in an hour or in 3.
And when you realize that at the current level you can complete the project in 3 hours and get 100 bucks ... and by raising the level you can complete the same project in an hour and get the same 100 bucks - then there will be an incentive to grow.

Answer 6

I have been working as a web developer for over 3 years. I make websites, scripts, simple crm. I work in a studio on an hourly basis.

I, too, would howl with anguish from such work. Try to find a company with large projects for at least 5 man-years. Or with one big own project. Interest should appear, IMHO.

Answer 7

You like to make money, so you need a job that only consists of this.
How about the stock market?

Answer 8

You can try social programming - GitHub. On Tuesday I found out what it is - I still can’t move away ... I program for days.

Answer 9

Why is money a bad motivator?
Work for money! If you don't need money, why would you want to work? Program for your pleasure then your projects.
Interesting work, you know. A person is such a person that he gets bored with everything interesting over time and constantly wants something new. Will you constantly change jobs, even if there is enough money?
In my opinion, money is a great motivation and that's fine. Moreover, I believe that there should be no personal attachment to the project, otherwise you lose mobility and may eventually lose money.

Answer 10

Option one: get out of the comfort zone where it's already boring, into an office with big projects. If ideas do not cling, then money remains.
Option two: in your free time from sleep, start making services for yourself that generate income.
Option three: a shift in life paradigm :) In software development, there are more and less profitable specialties that require, in addition to their materiel, an understanding of the development process. Most often this is the path to managers. Or your business.

Answer 11

If money is your motivation (which you are mistaken about, I am 99% sure of this), then you all the more need to learn something new. And not only in the field where you work, but also in both related and in areas that are not related to programming at all (physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, economics, etc.). If you develop, then salary growth is guaranteed to you, otherwise you can only rely on luck and hope.

Answer 12

Carry your cross and believe. Dostoevsky.

Answer 13

Money is usually only motivating up to a point. Apparently, he just stepped on in your case.
There are two options, in my opinion:
1) abruptly change the direction of activity. The stock exchange has already been offered, something like that and you need to try (I mean not go into IT at all)
2) try to grow within the current profession, do not stay too long, if there is no chance for growth in the current company, change it to another

Answer 14

Everything is fine, just look at it from a slightly different angle.
The more complex and interesting the project, the more the customer understands the need to take his time and pay for code quality, test coverage, thoughtful architecture, etc. Accordingly, if you know how to do all this, the more you will earn.
Thus, you just need to set a goal to develop quickly and a lot, and more earnings will come by itself.

Answer 15

If you don't like it, then change it.
If it's just out of boredom, entertain yourself with another hobby.
If a thought arises rarely, once every six months, and everything suits you, why change something?

Answer 16

I can advise you to start something of your own, your own project, even if first open source with donations, in any language, do something that interests you, if you successfully choose a topic + successfully implement it, it will be interesting, it will be possible to translate it into a commercial channel, or maybe donations will suffice.
I ran into almost the same thing. We came up with a project with a friend, in the evenings we sit coding a little. It is necessary to study the darkness of everything. Interesting. There are opportunities for earning.
I'm not sure, but perhaps a job change will only be a temporary solution ...
PS: personal opinion ...

Answer 17

This is normal in every way. Programmers are ordinary workers - he can be a skilled craftsman who loves his job (the image of an 80s bearded programmer from Silicon Valley). Or maybe a guest worker, like the Indians (although I can’t say that they don’t like this business, however, the prestige of the profession and the potential salary for such a region make me think that I’m still heading in the right direction). The question of the person himself is whether he is ready to engage in an unloved business part, or even all his life? Will he agree that he will not grow up as a professional in his field and be mediocre? I personally use programming as a staging post, but nevertheless, this profession is interesting to me. That is, I initially choose paths that will not make me a masochist. Someone will say that people have no choice - yes and no.

Answer 18

I have set this criterion for myself.

1. work should be fun
   
2. work should benefit the world - then there will be some kind of energy return from the world
   
3. work should pay well
   
4. i have to work for myself