Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 24 posts

Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#1

Post by bry »

I have been working on one startup or another since I was in my teens. Not one has been super-successful, but that's ok because I expect that as an entrepreneur. I've learned a lot along the way.

What I can't seem to do, however, is stay focused on just one idea. I am a developer and an ok designer. I'm good at what I do (in general, as a developer) and am constantly coming up with new ideas. I have a few that I really like, and I've spent serious time on a few of them, but I find myself becoming bored of each idea before too long, and then I am off thinking about or looking into some other new and exciting idea.

How do you stay focused on just one idea? It feels like any decent idea could be profitable enough to help me leave my job with enough persistence, but I can't seem to stay focused or excited about just one idea. What I want is independence and to build something that other people really love to use. I'm fine with a lifestyle business instead of a home-run, if that means I can work for myself. I'm now in my early 30's, and it feels like time is slipping away. I work on my projects in the evenings, generally around 20 hours per week.

I think of myself as a single founder, not because I don't want to or won't work with someone else, but because I haven't yet found someone who is as dedicated to actually building something, anything, as I am. I've teamed up with people a few times, but they all fizzle out (they underestimated the time involved, got married, had a baby, etc). I'm open to really finding someone else to work with, but I'm not sure that will really fix the problem.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, how do you stay focused on just one idea when its no longer "fun" (for me that would be things like marketing, building the back-end, etc)? What can/should I do?

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#2

Post by JonathanWCurd »

Push yourself to stay focused. Do somethings you like and some things you don't each day so that you are not faced with a giant list of things you don't want to do.

Also make sure your not just looking for an excuse to not launch. Tackle something small, get it done and get it out. Then rinse and repeat. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#4

Post by mapster »

Good question. Imagine you are the owner of a franchise you admire (i.e 1800-GOT-JUNK). Could you build it and keep it successful?

The issue we face is that our 'ideas' are entirely unproved, while a franchise is proven, so while there is risk, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I think the absence of a 'light' allows us to drop a 'idea' and pick up another one thinking this will be better.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#5

Post by zavulon »

A good way to stay focused is to quit your job and put yourself in a position where you have to make money in order to survive. Then it's going to be very easy for you to decide what to focus on.

Disclaimer: this is what I did, wouldn't recommend it to everyone, YMMV, etc...

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#6

Post by bry »

zavulon wrote: post #5

A good way to stay focused is to quit your job and put yourself in a position where you have to make money in order to survive. Then it's going to be very easy for you to decide what to focus on. Disclaimer: this is what I did, wouldn't recommend it to everyone, YMMV, etc...

Man, I wish I could. I have no savings, a wife, and four kids who depend on a steady salary. You're probably right, and maybe that would be the best thing to do... but I just can't take that leap yet. That's essentially why I work 4-5 hours every evening in addition to my day job - to have some glimmer of hope of being able to some day build something that takes off enough to allow me to leave this place.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#7

Post by bry »

mapster wrote: post #4

Good question. Imagine you are the owner of a franchise you admire (i.e 1800-GOT-JUNK). Could you build it and keep it successful? The issue we face is that our 'ideas' are entirely unproved, while a franchise is proven, so while there is risk, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I think the absence of a 'light' allows us to drop a 'idea' and pick up another one thinking this will be better.

I think you hit the nail on the head. So do I just need to take that risk with some idea that may work, rather than keep thinking about other cool ideas that also may work? I'm willing to risk/invest the time. Its just tough to stay focused.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#8

Post by JonathanWCurd »

bry wrote: post #6
zavulon wrote: post #5

A good way to stay focused is to quit your job and put yourself in a position where you have to make money in order to survive. Then it's going to be very easy for you to decide what to focus on. Disclaimer: this is what I did, wouldn't recommend it to everyone, YMMV, etc...

Man, I wish I could. I have no savings, a wife, and four kids who depend on a steady salary. You're probably right, and maybe that would be the best thing to do... but I just can't take that leap yet. That's essentially why I work 4-5 hours every evening in addition to my day job - to have some glimmer of hope of being able to some day build something that takes off enough to allow me to leave this place.

Quitting your job is not for everyone, especially if others depend on you. In your situation, I say work really hard to simply what you are building and get an MVP out the door. The sense of accomplishment will get you motivated and hopefully the energy to go further. The just keep at it until you are comfortable enough to go at it full time.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#9

Post by zavulon »

bry wrote: post #6
zavulon wrote: post #5

A good way to stay focused is to quit your job and put yourself in a position where you have to make money in order to survive. Then it's going to be very easy for you to decide what to focus on. Disclaimer: this is what I did, wouldn't recommend it to everyone, YMMV, etc...

Man, I wish I could. I have no savings, a wife, and four kids who depend on a steady salary. You're probably right, and maybe that would be the best thing to do... but I just can't take that leap yet. That's essentially why I work 4-5 hours every evening in addition to my day job - to have some glimmer of hope of being able to some day build something that takes off enough to allow me to leave this place.

Yeah, you're right, if you have wife/kids/anybody depending on you, then it's not the way to go.

In your case, I would focus on being honest with yourself and force yourself to think hard what's going to bring money. In my opinion, "do what you like and money will come" is bullshit. Your first goal is financial independence. All your ideas probably have various degrees of how they can be monetized.

Some of your ideas might be that "really cool thing" that you like working on, but deep inside you know chances of it making money will be lottery-like (yet another todo-list, a video game, the next cool social network, etc). Your most boring idea that's a lot of pain in the ass to work on will probably be the most successful one.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay focused on one idea?

#10

Post by JonathanWCurd »

bry wrote: post #7
mapster wrote: post #4

Good question. Imagine you are the owner of a franchise you admire (i.e 1800-GOT-JUNK). Could you build it and keep it successful? The issue we face is that our 'ideas' are entirely unproved, while a franchise is proven, so while there is risk, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I think the absence of a 'light' allows us to drop a 'idea' and pick up another one thinking this will be better.

I think you hit the nail on the head. So do I just need to take that risk with some idea that may work, rather than keep thinking about other cool ideas that also may work? I'm willing to risk/invest the time. Its just tough to stay focused.

Also maybe join up with a start-up group or other entrepreneurs in your area to keep you motivated and to share your successes, failures, and concerns. A support group can go a long way.
Post reply on HN