Comments on: Don’t Play Hurt

By: Worthy of Praise - Push cx

Worthy of Praise - Push cx — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:00:55 +0000

[...] can’t even count the ways this attitude is wrong. If you think most programming is a boring slog, you’re not programming. You need to [...]

By: Peter Harkins

Peter Harkins — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:02:31 +0000

You’re right, a lot of it is attitude, and I’ve also seen (and felt) a difference between checking off small items being a series of great little successes vs. a tedious slog

I think anytime that developers (or any employees) will lose morale anytime they aren’t invested in goals. Salary, benefits, stock options, and profit sharing are literal ways to get them invested, but if employees will still underperform if they feel like they’re wasting their time. The goal I was given back then was ridiculously bad because it came from someone high-up and uninvolved in the project who was withholding the resources needed to accomplish it. Perhaps I’m just echoing Ricardo Semler, but authority may be the fundamental problem. How do you tell someone else to care about?

(Hm. I sense another post stirring.)

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:58:21 +0000

Interesting analogy. I would consider playing hurt as being at a job where you are getting little mental stimulation on a regular basis. Like in sports, playing hurt is often recipe for further injury down the road, namely boredom, burnout, and mental stagnation. On the c2 wiki, it seemed like there was a divide between those who felt that one must play hurt if one is to be professional, and those who say that as long as you get the job done well and on time you are being professional enough, so you don’t need to worry about appearances. I feel like I am of the latter opinion.

Once you have found the right job and environment, I definitely think that attitude is a huge part of being happy with what you are working on. In a software project there are small details that might seem like they are contributing little value but are necessary for the overall product quality. I’ve seen people get discouraged by these kinds of tasks and people that take them head-on. This obviously assumes that you are in the right place. It seemed like moving was a good choice for you.

Arbitrary deadlines or goals like the one that you state about sales seem to cause a big morale hit. Have you had this experience in many other places?

By: Acius

Acius — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:18:09 +0000

Oh, that’s why I’m finally sticking with just one job. It’s because I do that so rarely now, and it’s an awesome feeling.

Ironically, I took the job because it was a big pay jump, but then discovered I loved the work.

By: todd

todd — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:11:58 +0000

Small world, I wrote the original entry many years ago. The intent was not for programmers to stick in an abusive relationship. Definitely leave. But some the qualities like good code and pride are based purely on your professionalism. If they don’t care about good code then that’s another decision for you to make. Making something of your life is a lot to ask out of a job, it might be better to look for a more expanded view of life than just work. A job isn’t about your best work, it’s about consistent sustainable quality. That’s what playing hurt means. I’m all for doing what you love, finding meaning, self actualization, but if you are taking a pay check your obligation is to be professional and do a good job. That is, play hurt.