In software, one persistent illusion quietly sabotages focus, drains momentum, and corrodes teams from within:
the belief that “the opposite field is always greener.”
Whether you’re an engineer, CTO, or founder, this mindset often manifests in subtle, dangerous ways.
1. The Stack Envy Trap
Many developers fall into the trap of glorifying stacks they don’t use:
- “I’m stuck in PHP; real work happens in Node.js or Go.”
- “Laravel is outdated; everyone cool is on Next.js.”
This is technical escapism. Every stack has trade-offs, caveats, and bottlenecks.
The problem is rarely the stack — it’s how you’re using it.
Instead of hopping tech every six months, master:
- Architectural patterns
- Optimization techniques
- Automated testing and CI/CD
- Infrastructure fundamentals
Tools change. Core engineering principles don’t.
2. Product vs. Service vs. SaaS FOMO
Service company founders romanticize product-led growth.
Product teams envy recurring revenue SaaS businesses.
SaaS founders miss the cashflow and client-driven demand of services.
Truth: Every business model is hard — in different ways.
| Model | Perks | Pain Points |
|---|---|---|
| Services | Fast cash, predictable scope | Client dependency, scope creep |
| Products | IP ownership, high upside | Burn rate, market fit risk |
| SaaS | MRR, valuation potential | Churn, support, constant shipping |
Instead of daydreaming, optimize your chosen model or pivot decisively.
FOMO is not a growth strategy.
3. Corporate vs. Startup Illusion
Startup engineers envy corporate salaries and stability.
Corporate developers yearn for ownership and speed in startups.
Both sides glamorize what they don’t have.
- Startups offer velocity — but also chaos.
- Corporates offer structure — but also rigidity.
No field is purely green. Just different shades of brown under pressure.
4. The Founder Illusion
Developers dream of being founders.
Founders dream of just coding without the HR, sales, and fire drills.
The illusion of “freedom” often becomes the burden of wearing every hat.
Freedom is not in founding — it’s in discipline, systems, and delegation.
Until you accept the grind and responsibilities, you’ll remain stuck chasing a mirage.
Cultivate Your Own Field
“The grass is greener where you water it.”
Stop fantasizing. Start focusing.
The “greener” field isn’t out there — it’s built right where you stand.
- Focus > Fantasy
- Depth > Dabbling
- Execution > Envy
Grow your field. Master your stack. Own your context.
That’s the only green that matters.