from Gergely Orosz | by Gergely Orosz

From an engineer: "I want to do side projects but I'm holding off because of my employer contracts that claim all IP I do at or outside work goes to my employer. What is your take on this?" There are two major problems with your thinking:

1. If you never start, you will never learn or get to scratch your itch. If you have the bug to do it: do it! 2. On the IP. If you want to build a sideproject for fun: do it! I never worried about Microsoft claiming my Flashlight app or Cocktail site for themselves. BUT:

3. IF you really are starting a business, you *should* be careful. If it is relevant with what your company is doing, it could fall into the IP. But this is not the "fun sideproject" category. Either do it in stealth (most people do it), or do it in the open.

4. Ask yourself: what would happen if your sideproject gets big (in your spare time) and it's big enough to warrant the attention your company wanting to claim IP? It's not like they'd just want the code... they'd want you as well. A pretty cool opportunity for a side project.

5. My advice is: if you have the bug to do it: do it! Use common sense. Don't be like the majority of people who limit themselves and never start their idea in fear of "what will happen if this thing - against all odds - gets big?"

Know this: 90% of your sideprojects will go NOWHERE. Your sideproject becoming so big your employer will care? It won't happen, unless you start building - and throwing away many. Here's the track record of someone who eventually built a $4M business: t.co/ucen56khHi