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Instead of being motivated only by technology have you considered trying to create a product or starting a company? (this is HN after all).

Lots of people using (and maybe even liking) something you built can be pretty compelling.

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Starting a company: Yes, I tried that during my freelancing time. The plan was to freelance on the side to keep myself afloat until the company could carry itself. Except things didn't work out: not only did the company not find any clients, as a freelancer I didn't get enough contracts to actually keep myself afloat. The timing of me trying that was incredibly stupid in retrospect; 2002/3 would have to be the worst years in the past decade to try something like that.

The main thing I did learn from that entire episode is that I suck at marketing/selling. While trying again is not completely off the table, I would definitely only try it again with a co-founder who is a good sales person.

Or go to a small company where you actually can see people using your work.

As others have suggested, instead of being driven by tools/technology maybe focussing on the product can be satisfying.

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