alt Hacker NewsI recently wrote my own invoicing application. I got wrapped up in the joy of adding the features I wanted. Many of these features come at a premium monthly fee for a big named product.
I needed to get an invoice out in a timely fashion. As much as I wanted to use my app, I found certain kinks I needed to work out (with styling, adding addresses, etc.) -- This was where I realized what you have articulated.
At some point, it becomes better to prioritize the "fun" in working on my bike, and the "usefulness" of the daily driver bike.
In doing so, perhaps the fun/usefulness of each converges over time.
Andy Schatz, the independent game creator of Monaco, said something at a GDC talk that really resonated with me along these lines
I'm paraphrasing but -
"Do the hard work that you need to do, but always give yourself an hour a day for the bullshit 'i don't have time for this but I want to do it' stuff.
It'll keep you happy, which will keep you productive through the slog... and those little touches will stand out and make SOME people happy"
For the unfamiliar (the man, not the talk): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Schatz