[volaski]

Since you bring this up, let me tell you what really happens. You are right there is a burnout factor. In fact it does happen and I have grown to live with it. But the cool thing about burnout is it doesn't last forever. If you have lots of ideas and you like to build things, chances are your motivation will come back soon enough. I personally think working passionately for a few months and taking a break for a week and going back and forth is much more productive than doing it half-assed and wondering how others "find time" to work on things. Also, this is a subjective thing, I'm giving my point of view based on how i think and you're writing your advice based on how you think but neither of us are absolutely correct because every human being is different. Some people put higher priority in socializing and enjoying life's other activities when it comes to living a life. Some people put higher priority in building something that they will be proud of. Most people belong to the former group and that's why it's hard for them to find time to work on stuff. Sure you can live a well-balanced life like 90% of the population and live a normal life, or you can be different. Most people will think the latter group of people are heartless and idiotic, etc. but those people have highest ratio of success statistically. Lastly, I have been doing this for years and I am not "totally turned off by programming". I do get burned out time to time but after a couple of weeks of taking a break i'm fully energized and back at it. Like I said, it's just a difference in mindset. If you have something that you feel is meaningful enough to build, nothing else matters.