Navigating the World of Side Projects and Automations

In this episode of Convos.dev, Chris and Jess delve into the intricacies of side projects—why they do them, how they find the time, and the various motivations behind each endeavor. They explore the balance between professional commitments and personal passions, highlighting how side projects serve as a playground for learning new skills and tackling intriguing challenges. Whether it's vibe coding a fun app for their kids or automating tasks to boost productivity, the duo shares how these projects fuel their creativity and technical growth.The conversation also touches on the tools and frameworks they use to streamline their side projects, including CLAWed automations and Raycast extensions. They discuss the challenges of managing numerous automations without losing track, emphasizing the importance of creating systems that are both effective and easy to maintain. If you've ever struggled with finding time for side projects or wondered how to make your automations work for you, this episode is filled with practical advice and relatable insights.Chapters:00:00 Intro02:15 The Motivation Behind Side Projects05:45 Solving Complex Problems with Consulting10:30 Balancing Consulting with Creative Projects14:00 The Role of Automations in Side Projects18:20 Tools for Task Management and Productivity22:45 Using Keyboard Maestro for Efficiency27:00 Challenges with AI and Automations31:15 Allocating Time for Side Projects36:40 Exploring OpenCLAWed and Cloud Automations41:20 Fun with French Beaded Flowers45:30 Recommended Reads: "How to Think" by Alan Jacobs50:00 Outro and Listener EngagementLinks / tools mentioned:- Raycast: URL- Hazel: https://www.noodlesoft.com/- Keyboard Maestro: https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/- Advent of Astro: https://adventofastro.com/- How I Built This podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297- How to Think by Alan Jacobs: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Survival-Guide-World/dp/0451499603