I'm addicted to being useful
S
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This article strongly resonates and has clear angles for your perspective
Quick Take
This hits Brian's core identity as someone who runs multiple side projects and clearly gets energy from solving problems and building useful things. The "addiction to being useful" framing perfectly describes the mindset that drives successful solopreneurs and side project builders - it's not just about money, it's about the compulsive need to solve problems and create value.
Relevant Domains
Engineering craft/architecture/productivity - Core theme about what motivates engineers Side projects/automation/earning from skills - The "useful addiction" drives side project creation Family/time management/tradeoffs - Managing the compulsion in healthy ways
Blog Angles
1
"The Side Project Addiction: Why I Can't Stop Building Things"
Thesis
Your Hook
2
"Channeling Your 'Useful Addiction' Into Revenue"
Thesis
Your Hook
3
"The Dark Side of Being the 'Fix-It' Person at Work"
Thesis
Your Hook
Key Quotes
I feel an almost physical discomfort about [unsolved problems], and a corresponding relief and satisfaction when I do go and solve the problem
What actually does motivate software engineers is often more of an internal compulsion
I need to be useful to my management chain, not to the ticket queue
Some people in tech companies will identify people like me and wring us out
Tags
#engineering-mindset
#side-projects
#solopreneurship
#career-strategy
#motivation
#boundaries
#problem-solving