Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#1

Post by supervillain » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 10:30 AM UTC

I'm currently employed and working as a Ruby on Rails programmer for 3 years now, and I have decided that I want to start coding my product that I have been planning ever since I got interested with web applications, but when it comes to making it happen, I just can't do anything, I can't start working on it, I can't begin coding... I just lost enthusiasm on my own thing. But when my employers ask me to create a web app (website, ecommerce, internal apps, consulting apps), I responded enthusiastically and delivered it right on time (and beyond their expectations).

What's wrong with me?, I have everything already set, I bought my domain, I bought a VPS, S3, and has the technical skills to make it happen, but and I just can't find any interest on doing things for my own's sake, it's easier for me when my boss says "hey do this", but when I comes to myself to do something for myself I failed miserably. The last time I visit my VPS is back on September 2010, and I haven't touched it eversince...

Can someone give me an advice?

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#2

Post by Swannie » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 11:02 AM UTC

I know that situation well. I figured out it's because I strongly prefer working in a team. Solo-founder is never going to work 100% for me. I do work individually great, but if there isn't at least one smart person to bounce ideas off, and who reflect back some real enthusiasm, I'm burned out after a few days.

If anyone figures out how to trick yourself then I'm all ears!

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#3

Post by patio11 » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 11:09 AM UTC

Cut back scope, pick something you can deliver in your typical attention span, then sit down and do it. If you have one little feature that makes lives better enough to pay, then just a wee bit more work adds the ability to charge for it. Just a wee bit more work gets you the first cut of a marketing site. ... repeats ad nauseum

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#4

Post by terhechte » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 11:16 AM UTC

Just revise your thoughts. You're not doing it 'for yourself' but you're doing it for a future audience, for future customers. The reason why you work so well for your boss is probably because you like to impress him. But it's difficult to impress yourself. When you think about your product, think about what positive reaction you'll get from your future customers.

Also, this mode of seeing things will help you to deliver a better software experience to your end-users as you will always remind yourself that going for quick and dirty solutions (during development) might work if you use it, but not if others use it.

Also, in order to gain additional enthusiasm, you should find a good friend with whom you can talk about your project, and brag from time to time. Then you feel obliged to continue working on it because you don't want him to believe that you've failed on it.

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#5

Post by flipside » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 11:24 AM UTC

Here's my take from having gone through a similar problem, it may or may not be relevant to you.

A few years ago I had a great idea for a product and would pitch it to whoever would listen. I had the domain, had a plan, just had to execute. I'd barely gotten started when I ran into a wall, instead of working I would just stare blankly at my computer. I had zero motivation to do any actual work.

And yet, I was still passionate and believed in the idea, which led me to a similar place as you where I'm wondering "what gives?"

This situation showed me that I had an internal problem, that while I could function in environments with external motivational factors, if I removed them, I had nothing. Something inside was holding me back.

It was only through a combination of months of therapy and soul searching that I was able to find the source of my motivational short-circuit, I had given up on the first thing I ever truly wanted without even trying to achieve it. After that epiphany, motivation has been the least of my concerns. Heck, I'm working on my plans for world domination at this very moment.

So here's my advice, take the time to debug your brain, it won't be easy, but it beats having that error message pop up for the rest of your life.

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#6

Post by LeonW » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 11:37 AM UTC

hmm, is the app you are planning something that will solve some of your own problems? Or is it something that your boss's client would appreciate. I am guessing that it might be the latter in your case and that's why you have trouble motivating yourself, because your boss isn't there. If you would find something that solves one of your own problems and made your own life a lot easier, then finding the motivation to do it is far easier!

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#7

Post by givan » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 12:01 PM UTC

Is the lizzard brain that is fighting back, is trying to protect you from failure see this http://vimeo.com/5895898

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#8

Post by warp » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 12:02 PM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #3

Cut back scope, pick something you can deliver in your typical attention span, then sit down and do it . If you have one little feature that makes lives better enough to pay, then just a wee bit more work adds the ability to charge for it. Just a wee bit more work gets you the first cut of a marketing site. ... repeats ad nauseum

What helps me with this approach is to pick a small module, and then start writing a README for it as if the module already existed.

By pretending that the module is already done you get to use it before it exists (which is a lot of fun :). In the README, write your instructions in such a way that they are testable (python doctests make this easy, I assume you can do something similar with ruby).

When you're done, it is much easier to start on the actual module itself because you've already figured out how that module interacts with the rest of the system, and you have a set of tests to verify it.

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#9

Post by SeanNieuwoudt » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 12:13 PM UTC

I think all entrepreneurs and engineers go through this kind of phase at some point in their life.

The best solution I've found is get yourself a partner, someone that can keep you accountable and motivated.

Remember not to take your code too personally, most of it will inevitably need to be rewritten again anyways - it does not have to be perfect in the beginning.

If there are certain aspects of the project that are frightening to you and stopping you from starting (UI, DB design etc), then bite the bullet and outsource those parts... makes things much easier.

If you have the funds available, consider outsourcing the entire project - this will leave you with time to get the business end sorted.

Best of luck!

Sean

Re: Ask HN: How to start coding my product?

#10

Post by wccrawford » Sun, Feb 06, 2011, 12:26 PM UTC

You're letting the lack of requirements blind you. Depending on who you are, there's 2 ways to fix it:

1) Write some requirements! Clarify in your mind where the project is heading both in the short-term and the long-term. Agile-style user stories is one way to do both of those.

2) Start with the basics. Get the Rails framework set up. Get the DB set up. Start writing the schema. Etc. Once you've got the basics of every app (mvc, authentication, ACL, etc) then move on to what makes your app unique. Start with things that will provide benefit for you or your customers.