Dlaczego nie pracuję już jako programista?

Summary

In this personal narrative, the speaker shares why they left their job as a programmer in 2022 to focus on teaching programming and running their own business. Reflecting on their lifelong passion for creating and sharing knowledge, they discuss the challenges of balancing a full-time job with building an online business. The speaker candidly addresses financial struggles, the pressure of entrepreneurship, and the importance of passion and persistence. Despite societal skepticism and criticism, they emphasize that their love for programming and teaching drives their success and motivates them to keep going.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Passion for Creation**: The creator has always wanted to build their own projects, starting from writing stories at a young age to creating websites and blogs. The desire to create has always been a driving force.
• 😀 **Teaching as a Calling**: The creator realized they could simplify complex programming concepts in an engaging way, which led to the decision to teach programming online.
• 😀 **Business as a Source of Income**: While the creator enjoys teaching, they are also open about the financial aspects of running a business, believing that it's important to earn from valuable work.
• 😀 **Overcoming Criticism**: The creator emphasizes not being afraid to pursue unconventional paths, even if others criticize or doubt the decision to start a business or teach online.
• 😀 **Work-Life Balance Struggles**: Transitioning from a corporate job to self-employment resulted in longer work hours, with no clear boundary between work and personal life.
• 😀 **Financial Freedom Through Entrepreneurship**: The creator values the ability to earn more in business compared to a traditional job, but acknowledges that self-employment comes with its own financial risks and uncertainties.
• 😀 **Importance of Financial Cushion**: One of the hardest lessons learned was the importance of having a financial buffer, especially when business income can fluctuate or drop unexpectedly.
• 😀 **The Motivation to Keep Going**: Despite the challenges, the creator finds motivation in their love for teaching, making courses, and helping students land jobs in programming.
• 😀 **Continuous Learning and Growth**: The creator believes that personal and financial growth are closely linked, and that embracing continuous learning is key to achieving long-term success in business.
• 😀 **Commitment to Programming**: Even after leaving a full-time programming job, the creator remains committed to programming and believes it will always be an integral part of their life.
• 😀 **Pursuing Your Passion**: The creator encourages others to follow their passion for programming, advising them to ignore negative feedback and stay focused on their goals.

Q & A

Why did you decide to leave your full-time programming job?

The decision was driven by a lifelong desire to create things on my own. I had always been involved in creative online projects since I was a child, including writing stories, creating websites, and running blogs. The shift towards teaching programming came naturally, as I felt I could explain complex concepts in a more engaging and understandable way.

Did you ever feel demotivated or tired of being a programmer during your career?

No, I never felt discouraged or tired of programming. For over 10 years, I enjoyed the work and looked forward to it each day, whether working in the office or remotely.

How do you view the concept of earning money from sharing knowledge?

I see it as perfectly legitimate and not something to be ashamed of. After spending years learning and working in the IT industry, I have valuable knowledge to share. I don’t understand the reluctance in Poland to talk openly about earnings in such cases.

What do you think about negative comments you receive regarding your transition to teaching programming?

Negative comments are inevitable, especially in Poland, where there's a tendency to criticize unconventional career paths. While it's frustrating, I focus on the positive feedback and keep moving forward. The internet always has both supporters and critics.

How do you respond to people who say it's too late to start a career in programming?

I encourage people to ignore such comments. There will always be critics, but age is not a barrier to learning programming. It’s never too late to start, and the key is persistence.

Is making money the most important motivator for you in your current work?

No, while earning money is important, it's not the main motivator. I’m driven by my passion for creating content, teaching programming, and helping others succeed. The satisfaction comes from seeing the impact of my work on others, such as when someone lands a job thanks to my courses.

What was the most challenging part of running your business after leaving your programming job?

The most challenging part was the initial period after transitioning. The lack of a clear work-life balance, working long hours, and managing both the business and personal responsibilities—such as raising my child—was extremely stressful. There were times when I didn't know how to balance everything.

What financial lessons did you learn after moving into self-employment?

One of the key lessons was the importance of having a financial cushion. When sales slowed down due to an industry downturn and seasonal fluctuations, I realized how crucial it is to have savings to weather financial uncertainties.

How do you plan to increase your earnings in the coming years?

My goal is to continue developing and expanding my business by learning new skills, trying new strategies, and automating parts of my processes. Over the next two to three years, I’m optimistic about significantly increasing my income.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of switching to a programming career?

My advice is to start with small steps, be consistent, and stay committed. There will always be challenges and negative voices, but focus on learning, improving your skills, and finding joy in what you do. Success doesn’t come overnight, but persistence will get you there.