I’ve always thought the best way to test out an idea, to start a product, is to extend someone else’s platform. Build a component on what they have, test it out, see how it works, and take it from there. It’s a minimal investment, it’s less risk, it requires very little investment (your time). It might not be your final destination, but it’s the best way to see if there is a market there for…
It clicks, everything works, and all that you have been working for falls into place. It’s an incredible feeling. And you invariably wonder – “Why did it take me so long to figure this out?” Maybe it’s your learning process. Maybe it’s because you didn’t reach out to anyone. Maybe it’s because you missed something. Whatever it was, take stock of what you missed and move on. Learn from it, don’t brood over it.
Not when the plan will change, but know that the plan WILL change. It will change, and you will have to adjust and roll with it. Give yourself slush time, space, confidence, etc in all your estimates. And work from there. But go in, knowing this will change and you will have to adapt – that is the first step to not being controlled and beholden to the plan.
If the same question is getting you the same answer – you’re good. If the same question is getting you different answers, there is a problem. Time to dig in and figure out what it is, because it should always be the same.
Probably, maybe not, depends on what that doing is and actually means. Doing something for the sake of doing something to say you are doing something isn’t contributing to what you’re doing. We always have the feeling of doing something, but sometimes it’s better to figure out what needs to be done before jumping in and doing it.