I'm pretty much suffering from the same myself. I started to think that success stories of other people are probably doing more harm than good and I'll now stop reading when it looks as a success story. I need to write a success story about me first.
Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
91–100 of 105 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#92I have this same problem often - maybe not even six months. I have several techniques that seem to work to combat this well 1. When you do have the enthusiasm for the project try to do the "dull" or "chore" work first. That way the fun and exciting bit will keep you going for longer - they lose their motivational benefits once they are done after all. 2. Make sure you can come back to the project and work on it later…
Agreed, this is great advice. I tend to not do #1 because of my non-linear approach to problem solving.. which basically means I try to solve whatever I see as the biggest problem rather than the 'easiest' or 'most boring.' I'll try this one next week :)
On #2, I've definitely seen this happen for me but it's usually more like 2-3 months later. I wonder how I'd feel after a true two week break ala a vacation with no internet. I bet that would be phenomenal.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#93What would you work on even for free? I stay enthusiastic by working on the one thing I'm most passionate about in my whole life. Look back through life and build your startup around what excites you the most, and you'll have better luck sticking with it.
The only thing that's kept me coming back is 'user interface' design or just working with a designer on a really tough web problem. This is why I've focused on another web startup that falls into this area, as it definitely takes all of the 'favorite' pieces I have. We built a super quick prototype, fell into a lull for a month or two, and are now iterating and improving it. Unfortunately the iterations are taking longer than I had hoped, but it's still moving forward.
The problem I'm running into on this one is having 3-4 GREAT ideas to improve the software, but being stuck waiting for idea #1 from last month to be implemented. This may be a big piece of my motivation issue. Figuring out how to release things faster is key for me at the moment, I've even turned to coding to try to speed it up.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#94This is perfectly normal (or, at least, common). Okay, I have no idea if it's either of those things, but I know I get a very similar thing. A few good ways to keep motivated are: 1. Know why you are doing this. If you have a clear goal in mind, you can motivate yourself towards that goal when the project itself is not motivating/stimulating/interesting (e.g. you've done the fun bits of the coding, and now have to do…
The clear roadmap is something I've never been good at and perhaps this is a root cause. For example, as a 'product manager' I have tons of big dreams for my product. Generally, it takes 2-3 months to get any solid prototype out there. Add on another 2-3 months of buildout to go from prototype to something people use and... by the time anything I've built in the past has reached 50k+ users, we're at least 6 months ou…
The big dreams for your product are understandable. But a roadmap won't help, it will just make you waste time on planning a future that you can't possibly plan.
There's another way.
Think of this exciting vision first. Then, instead of making a roadmap and starting years of coding to finally arrive at this vision (which will never happen, likely), start cutting away stuff from your vision. Cut away non-crucial stuff, but keep that 1 or 2 features that are exciting. Search for what makes this really exciting. You don't need picture uploads. You don't need 90% of the features.
Now build this core product. The core value. The exciting experience. And resist the urge to add stuff to it, instead cut more stuff out, even stuff you've already built, and keep improving this core thing.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#95What would you work on even for free? I stay enthusiastic by working on the one thing I'm most passionate about in my whole life. Look back through life and build your startup around what excites you the most, and you'll have better luck sticking with it.
The only thing that's kept me coming back is 'user interface' design or just working with a designer on a really tough web problem. This is why I've focused on another web startup that falls into this area, as it definitely takes all of the 'favorite' pieces I have. We built a super quick prototype, fell into a lull for a month or two, and are now iterating and improving it. Unfortunately the iterations are taking lo…
Was idea #1 really that good if you can't even motivate yourself to implement it?
Implement 1 idea. Then figure out why it doesn't work. Then change it.
As for all your other ideas, if they're better than idea #1, move on, if not, stick with #1.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#96have a look at this article by jason fried 37 signals Getting Real: Release something today http://37signals.com/svn/archives2/getting_real_release_some...
Thanks Rama, I've read all of Jason's books and thoroughly enjoy them. My day job is in a 'rapid deployment' environment where we push out projects pretty regularly. We're also doing this on my startup but it is less 'rapid' because of the limited amount of time we all have.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#97Have you ever been tested for ADHD? Hyper-focusing on one project to the detriment of other important commitments and being quickly discouraged after hitting the initial roadblocks are two of the signs. Do you consider yourself a daydreamer? Impulsive? Disorganized?
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#98To keep your "level up" analogy going... The first few levels of a startup are EASY. You're GOOD at this stuff. Ideation, deploying prototypes, early design work, etc. You're GOOD at it. You blow through these levels like a pro and you get the emotional reward. Then you hit the wall where you SUCK. It's working, but not as well as you've hoped. There are more questions than answers. The next level is a long ways away…
clap that analogy was absolutely fantastic.
What I have found personally that keeps me going is knowing that other people appreciate the work I have done, so I release early and often in an attempt to get other people riled up as well and to also get them working on the project if at all possible. So number 2 is definitely a good point.
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
The only thing that's kept me coming back is 'user interface' design or just working with a designer on a really tough web problem. This is why I've focused on another web startup that falls into this area, as it definitely takes all of the 'favorite' pieces I have. We built a super quick prototype, fell into a lull for a month or two, and are now iterating and improving it. Unfortunately the iterations are taking lo…
Was idea #1 really that good if you can't even motivate yourself to implement it? Implement 1 idea. Then figure out why it doesn't work. Then change it. As for all your other ideas, if they're better than idea #1, move on, if not, stick with #1.
To clarify, I'm definitely motivated to implement it. I just want it to move faster ;) I'm not really a developer so every time I start coding I feel like a swimmer who thrashes in the water and moves about 3 feet while the other guys are gliding :)
Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?
#100Earlier quoted context omitted.
I end up snubbing them a few months in because they become so pushy. You may not want to hear this, but you just answered your own original question: you lose interest because you don't care. I can't imagine "snubbing" anyone, much less my own customer. And I know lots of people that would give almost anything for a customer. You may not realize it now, but the "pushy" customers are the best ones, especially when you…
Sure, let me rephrase, because you're righ. I do care. I definitely set unrealistic expectations for my customers, as identified below. In the past I've been bad about overpromising and then spreading our dev resources thin, which definitely contributes to this feeling that customers are pushy (because they don't get what we've promised). This is something I've gotten better at recently, but still remains a major pai…
Awesome, you've identified one of your biggest weaknesses. Also, you've gotten better at it recently.
It seems to me like you need some time to work on that. For me, learning to say "no" and establishing my authority to clients regarding the direction of a project was HARD. It took me at least 2 years from the first time I noticed to get to a point that I could run a project pretty damn smoothly.
Also, I suggest you take some time off. Like, a day or two just hiking / playing around / having sex / whatever. Just go outside and so something away from computers and away from your customer's emails. Then come back with an objective mission of taking care of shit in a prioritized way.
Thats my last advice : write down what needs to be accomplished and check it off. Do it each week or monthly at first and eventually you'll be banging them out daily and feeling stoked.
Good luck!