Those first few hard steps
4 comments
What first got me started was my annoyance at realising how many days, weeks and months over the years I've wasted by reading sites like HN and Reddit instead of just doing something.
Combine that with the thought that if you'd begun your project at the start of 2012, you'd now already have something to show for it.
When it comes to projects going nowhere, it's true that a bit of luck helps. At the same time - how're you going to get that luck if you never get started?
Now, for the number one tip that I wished someone had told me several years ago: building and coding you project is the easy bit. Really, it is - you know what needs to be done, and you can sit down and work it out.
So you need to start from the marketing side of things - know in advance who your customers will be, how you're going to reach them, and whether they'll buy your product.
If you can take care of this, you'll have to be making some pretty major errors to - at worst - not be paying the rent with it.
Combine that with the thought that if you'd begun your project at the start of 2012, you'd now already have something to show for it.
When it comes to projects going nowhere, it's true that a bit of luck helps. At the same time - how're you going to get that luck if you never get started?
Now, for the number one tip that I wished someone had told me several years ago: building and coding you project is the easy bit. Really, it is - you know what needs to be done, and you can sit down and work it out.
So you need to start from the marketing side of things - know in advance who your customers will be, how you're going to reach them, and whether they'll buy your product.
If you can take care of this, you'll have to be making some pretty major errors to - at worst - not be paying the rent with it.
This might not work for you, but perhaps you can "pay yourself first" by going to bed soon after you come home from your day job, and wake up super early to work on your business. Give your best energy to yourself rather than your best energy to your job.
Just make sure you're not too tired to drive home.
Also, not to be glib, but coffee. :-)
Just make sure you're not too tired to drive home.
Also, not to be glib, but coffee. :-)
I remind myself that where I am today is a direct result of the decisions I took five years ago. My goal now is to make better decisions that will allow me to be in a better place in five years. Just remember one thing: things take time to happen.
well, i suppose that is why a lot of people quit their jobs in the first place.
But if you really MUST stay with the job, get co-founders to help out. But it "might" be difficult finding a passionate co-founder who will understand why you cant quit a mediocre job to focus on YOUR own dream
But if you really MUST stay with the job, get co-founders to help out. But it "might" be difficult finding a passionate co-founder who will understand why you cant quit a mediocre job to focus on YOUR own dream
You're working a mediocre (or worse) job to pay the bills. You get home tired each day, but got to work on that prototype for your business idea and/or side project. If you work a desk job in the day that might mean too many hours needed in front of the computer screen. Maybe a bit too much isolation as well, especially if it consumes your weekends.
Because of time restrictions, it's likely you'll have nothing to show for months. On top of that, we all know that most projects go nowhere, even if they make it to completion.
So how do you do it?