The document emphasizes the importance of side projects, detailing how they can lead to significant life changes and achievements. It shares personal anecdotes and key lessons about prioritizing these projects, leveraging luck, and sharing knowledge. The author provides actionable homework to help readers start their own side projects.

1. Hello.

2. [warning: guns and dildos ahead]

23. “Why in the hell are you
spending your free time on this,
of all the things you could spend
your free time on?”

25. Nearly every great thing in my life
was the result of my side projects

26. The Importance of
Side Projects
Matt Haughey
@mathowie

27. ¯_( )_/¯

28. Historically famous people
with side projects

45. Side Projects in Tech

64. My side projects

67. Big Lesson #1
Approach things by saying “well that’s
cool, how do I do that too?”

72. Big Lesson #2
Take advantage of luck. Don’t waste it.

79. Big Lesson #3
Share what you learn, so others can
follow.

81. Priorities
1. Family
2. My Job
3. My Side Projects
4. Everything else (hobbies like running
and cycling, working out, watching TV,
reading, going to movies and live music
shows, etc.)

82. Big Lesson #4
Make time for projects by making them a
priority in your life.

92. “I think if you do something and
it turns out pretty good, then
you should go do something
else wonderful, not dwell on it
for too long. Just figure out
what's next.”
— Steve Jobs

95. Nearly every great thing in my life
was the result of my side projects
1. Met my wife (hiking club)
2. Changed careers (learned HTML)
3. Ran my own business for 16 years (built
my first web app)
4. Wrote a few books (thanks to blogging)
5. Sold a company (Fuelly, another
sideproject)
6. My first visit to Barcelona!
(speaking=side gig)

96. Big Lesson #5
Side projects don’t directly equal fame
and fortune, but that’s ok.

97. Homework!
1. Write down a list of ideas
2. Pick one thing.
3. Cut out TV time, spend a couple weeks on it.
4. Tell friends so they check up on you.

98. Example

99. Some conclusions…

100. OK Go

102. Don’t trap yourself in
boxes

104. Some conclusions…

105. Thanks for your time,
go have lunch!