How is this relevant to daygame? Because “safe,” meaningless, unrewarding work that only benefits the business owner fucks up my vibe.
I’ve always worked in software and, more specifically, data. A fertile breeding ground for hopeless betas and scheming gammas. I always despised my colleagues working in IT: usually some scrawny Indian dude or an obese white dude that avoids eye contact as if it were a shower with soap.
Although I’m naturally introverted (I lose energy in big groups or long interactions), I crave human interaction. I was always a part of a large male wolf pack and loved going out to clubs and bars with the guys. People are always surprised when I say I work as a programmer. It still feels a bit painful saying it: it conflicts with my identity, and I feel a bit embarrassed by my profession’s nerdiness.
Yet I respect the craft of programming: bending a computer to your will through meticulous logic is a true arena of skill. A computer doesn’t care about your privileges, wants, or needs. The playing field is truly level. I’ve always had a deep respect for people who become masters at their craft through dedication, sacrifice, and hard work. I’m also genuinely fascinated by technology: machine learning, computer networks, cloud infrastructure, automation. Working with technology brings me into a flow state.
So what’s the solution? Going out on my own:
For over a year, I have been working as a remote independent consultant. I consciously try to see myself as a business owner: I identify the needs and problems of my clients and find a solution for them. Lately, I managed to outsource the manual labor to actual developers (like my despised former colleagues) while reaping the rewards of their work as the entrepreneur.
I’ll still have to code and work with technology in the future. Thankfully, as long as I can associate it with solving business problems for my clients or growing my business, I don’t hate my work. It’s just a means to an end—as it should be. Gone are the days I’m willing to rent out my skill set to another entrepreneur who pays me by the hour—that’s beta.
I relish how all the office drones who tied their identity to cranking out code are worried that ChatGPT bangs out entire programs in mere seconds. While they (rightfully) worry about their job being automated, I can’t wait for AI to completely liberate me from writing code. I salivate at the jump in productivity that I, as a business owner, can charge to my clients.