Ask HN: I really want to start a startup but I don't know what to do.

I really want to start a startup but I don't know what to do.

I worked at friend's startup for over a year but it wasn't my startup, and it wasn't my dream. I feel I'm capable of learning or using any technology I might need - that's not my barrier.

My barrier is that I'm just not exactly sure what I would do. Sometimes the options seem so numerous that it's overwhelming. I have many interests which makes it hard to narrow my focus.

Ideally, I will be building a product or service that I can charge for, e.g. not an ad-based service.

Any ideas on how I can overcome this hump?

Thanks, ~Henry

What do you know others will pay for, that does not exist?

What is your unique intersection of talents, interests and experiences, that might allow you to find a new angle on something?

Don't start with the idea of "a startup". Look for a way you can make life sufficiently better for a sufficient number of people/companies with sufficient ability and willingness to pay. The startup is the vehicle by which you trade your solution for money.

Perhaps it may be wiser to work for a start-up if an idea hasn't jumped at you. Just keep an open mind and look out for things you can do better, more efficiently. Then make a system out of it.

1) Work on something that interests both you and a cofounder. 2) Choose a potentially huge market. 3) Compete with big, dumb competitors in a market with no current winner. 4) Build something you would use yourself. 5) Build something for businesses, because there's less competition than there is for the trend-of-the-week in the Valley. And you can charge them money. 6) Choose an interesting hypothesis, and be prepared to pivot as you learn about the market.

Any other suggestions for choosing between startup ideas?