A new start with Launch School

John Vaughn
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

So, where to begin. Well, I’m 49 now and have some years of experience working as a developer (many of them part-time) in C, Perl, and PHP. Along the way I started my own online business selling essential oils and soap making supplies. Although this business has survived 17 years now, (my wife has taken over operations now) it’s never thrived. I’ve also tried my hand at becoming a professional poker player, with only limited success. Oh and I have a degree in music too, and once got a secondary teaching certificate. So basically it’s been a jumble of dabbling and hacking.

I use those terms, dabbling and hacking, as a nod to the book Mastery by George Leonard, which we were asked to read in the preparatory phase of LS. I found myself nodding in agreement with many of the author’s ideas. I found elements of both the Dabbler and the Hacker in myself when looking back upon my working history. If I had to pick one of them, it would be the Hacker. I don’t quit that easily. I stay with things and continue, but often find myself getting bored or distracted enough that I am just going through the motions after a while. I do not continue to learn and improve. I seem to permanently plateau and then decide I don’t have enough natural talent or it doesn’t suit me after all.

I have also had some issues with mild depression at times. I especially experienced that around the time I turned 30. (That age seemed to be a bigger, more bitter pill to swallow than 40, or I expect 50 will be.) It was clear to me I wasn’t going to have a career in music at that point, and depression set in. I cut back to part-time at my IT job, then slowly drifted away from it entirely.

Anyway, the last decade or so I have experienced less depression (thank you bicycling and this book). I have realized success is more about patient long-term routine than about talent or passion. You do hear very smart, successful people say “do what you love” or “follow your passion”. But I think better advice is to make yourself valuable to others doing something you like and can pursue towards mastery long-term.

I’m nearing the end of LS Course 101 now, studying full-time, and settling in for an enjoyable journey onward. I’ve got a steady daily routine — and get up an hour earlier than I used to. I stay in life balance though, always finding time for my daily 18 miles on my bike, at least an hour of piano practice, and time with my wife. Each day is appreciated in itself, for itself.

)
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade