The 9 PM Decision: Why I Chose the Hard Path
I am a software engineer here in Texas. I was trained to write code and build applications, but I know I am capable of more.
Every day, I spend two hours behind the wheel. One hour to work, one hour back. By the time I pull into my driveway at 7:00 PM, my energy is depleted, and my brain has practically stopped functioning.
The routine is always the same: Dinner with my family, playing with my kids, and getting them to bed. By 9:00 PM, the house is finally quiet. I have exactly two hours for myself.
But there is a problem. I am exhausted. My brain feels like a battery at 1%. Thinking about complex algorithms or system design feels like an impossible mountain to climb.
This is where most people stop. This is where I used to stop.
In the past, I tried every side hustle you can imagine: Print on Demand, Crypto, Stocks. I was looking for a shortcut, a quick win. But nothing succeeded as I expected. I realized I didn’t need another “get rich quick” scheme. I needed a clear vision and a path that—while difficult—I knew I could achieve through grit.
I am a software engineer here in Texas. I was trained to write code and build applications, but I know I am capable of more.
So, I have made a choice: Go again or gain nothing. I am choosing the hard path. I am committing the next five years to a singular vision:
Joining a FAANG company.
Writing weekly to sharpen my technical mindset.
Becoming a Technical Lead who masters both code and human psychology.
This blog is not written by a genius. It is written by a father and an engineer who is tired but refuses to stay stagnant. If you have ever felt too exhausted to chase your dreams, this journey is for you.
We don’t need “perfect” energy to start. We just need a decision and action.