I was watching House on Hulu last night and had a light bulb moment:
(http://www.hulu.com/watch/208017/house-larger-than-life#s-p1-so-i0)

Quote
Cuddy's Mom,"So...Say you two got married.  Would you convert to Judaism?"
Cuddy:  Mom.  We haven't gotten that far."
House:  "I'm an atheist."
Cuddy's Mom,"Honey, half the Jews I know are atheists.  It's about community."

I have been burned out from SEO for some time now.  I've always wondered why I've stayed in it.  The "all links all the time" grind has gotten beyond boring.  Sure, I like doing some of the programming stuff, but for the most part, I feel like this career choice has been a drag.

When I heard that conversation on House, I realized:  For me, it is about community.  Without a doubt the people in this field are the best, most talented, most creative and most intelligent I've ever met. And, they have big hearts.

I've stayed in this field for the people. 

Why are you in this field?

1) I don't have to deal with people.

2) I can wake up, say "hmm, looks like a good day to get on the water" and go.

3) I can work hard and make monies!

4) I can work for hours at a time to no end, and it seems like mere minutes have gone by.

5) I have so many different things to work on, sometimes I just pick what I feel like working on that day.

6) The love/hate thing with G. It just doesn't get old.

7) I like computers and stuff.

8) I couldn't find local work as an arms dealer.

Quote from: Drastic on February 03, 2011, 05:50:09 PM

6) The love/hate thing with G. It just doesn't get old.

yeah.

And luckily I can avoid link building myself in most instances. But the strategy, and problem solving, and the trying to outthink search engines and competitors, thats still fun for me; even on the days when I want to strangle co-workers and/or clients, a quiet room and 10 minutes wondering why something ranks the way it does is very soothing.

1-7 of Dras' list is about right for me.  Plus there is a great sense of accomplishment when I do something on my own and it just works. 

I think that's the thing I hate about it...I *can't* get out of the link building.  For some reason, it always falls to me.  And I hate it.

Community is a big part of it for me as well. When I go to conferences a couple times a year and see my friends we pick right up like we hang out every day.

So that and the stuff Dras said. Pretty much covers it.

>For me, it is about community.

I'm with you.  Truth is the link building and all Google all the time, is pretty much driving me away from even being just a webmaster. Social media has sparked my interest somewhat. But why do I stay around?  Its the community.

Slightly modified version of the list:

1.) I don't have to deal with people.

2.) I don't have to deal with people.

3.) I can work hard and make monies!

4.) I can work for hours at a time to no end, and it seems like mere minutes have gone by.

5.) I don't have to deal with people.

6.) I don't have to deal with people.

7.) I like computers and stuff.

8.) I don't have to deal with people.

9.) Except you guys, and you suck less than the others

10.) I can work in my underwear without another on of those tedious 'harrasment' court cases

The draw of 'easy money' and making more money than I'll spend that day, before I even wake up.

>community
...misery loves company:) when you are an independent, and the Internet is growing the way if it is, you still need a reference, a soundboard that appreciates your successes and failures, not just interprets your facial expressions and empathizes with you. Our limiting factor is 'understanding', not necessarily blind love and empathy.

...plus, what else am I doing w my time;)

I love the competition.  Setting targets and beating them.

I read an article somewhere once (SEL I think) that said SEO is not some big video game.  I remember thinking, "well, yes it is".

Its one big video game and I want to win it.

For me it's seeing individual people (ie not brands, we all know they make money) making lots of dosh online in things like SEO, affiliate marketing, lead generation, Adsense, ebooks and so on and my ego saying to me, "You're just as smart as them. There's no reason you can't do that."

The problem I've found is the further you get down the road you realise that the individuals making the big, big bucks are in fact probably smarter than you...but then who doesn't love a challenge? :-)

Ed

Dras, 1-7 for me as well, however 4eyes nailed it:

>1.) I don't have to deal with people.

Modified version, I don't have to deal with stupid ignorant -i-know-it-all clients.

Plus I HATE selling.