Cut the crap and start your side project today
Practical tips from the most successful side project entrepreneurs in the world
This is the fourth article in the series of my 30-day writing challenge. Check out the archive to read more.
Without a doubt, the most difficult problem people face with their side projects is getting started.
Before the first batch of The Side Project Accelerator, we interviewed around 50 applicants and asked them what was their main challenge. We heard the same thing over and over — getting started.
Now keep in mind that these are people who really want to do a side project. They’ve taken the time to read our material, apply to our program, and are even willing to shell out real money for the membership. Yet they just couldn’t manage to get started working on their side projects.
Digging into this a little bit deeper, we got to a few common reasons why it’s so difficult:
- Don’t have time
- Can’t settle on an idea
- Afraid that the idea is not good enough or has already been done before
- Don’t have enough money
I can relate to every single one of these reasons, and I imagine that many of you can too. That doesn’t make us lazy or not dedicated enough. It just means that we lead difficult and stressful lives and adding another major commitment into the mix is not easy.
However, there are some practical tips that can help you get over these challenges and start working on your side projects.
Sagi and I gathered up advice from a few of the mentors for The Side Project Accelerator. What follows are their tips, advice and lessons from their own experience on how to get started with your side project today.
Tobias van Schneider
If you haven’t done it today, you likely won’t do it tomorrow.
The best tip I can give is to start now. Today. Not tomorrow. If you really want to work on a side project, there is absolutely no excuse. Then keep the momentum going. It sounds too simple to be true, but that’s the most valuable tip I can give.
Also, side projects have to be stupid. The moment they’re not simple and stupid, we overthink and overcomplicate them, and then we find excuses. Try to simplify your idea as much as you can, and then start with that. Most projects don’t happen because we come up with excuses and because we’re overwhelmed. Start simple, start small, then take it from there. Don’t make a plan. Just start running.
Paul Jarvis
Make every decision you need to make to create your side project in 10 minutes or less.
Just get started. Side projects are a series of decisions you have to make to get from idea to launch. Don’t let any idea take more than a few minutes to make. Yes, you’ll probably make some bad or wrong decisions, but you can always go back and change things later. Worse is letting decisions stall you and keep you from doing anything.
Rachel Andrew
Start with something small.
Side projects by their very nature are built with huge time constraints and if you set out to build your grand idea you may just lose momentum along the way and never ship it. You will also find there is a lot of power and confidence to be gained by launching things, so you can see your small things as preparation for a larger idea.
When I tell people to start small they typically explain how the one thing they have in mind can only be done as a huge project. To that I would ask whether it is really side project material. Not all things suit the time and focus constraints of a side project, so take a good look at the idea and make sure it does make sense to create it “on the side”. It may be that it doesn’t, but some part of it is possible. Practical tips:
1. Can you build just one feature of the project as a standalone thing? My product is a CMS but we really started out as a drop-in editor for HTML websites — something that is essentially a feature of what we do now.
2. Can you build your idea as a plugin for some other system? Or by leveraging existing APIs to add special value based on something you know how to do?
3. Can you develop some kind of “productized service” around your idea, therefore removing some of the need to write code?
4. Is there an idea in a similar space that is smaller and could help you build an audience and perhaps even some starting capital to be able to devote to the larger project?
5. Can you develop information products in that space? Releasing a video tutorial series or e-book gives you that “launch practice” but can also build you an audience and reputation in a field that can help with your product.
Kathleen Shannon
Start by taking just 15 minutes a day to work on your project.
You can’t wait until you have that log cabin built and weeks of uninterrupted time to write the next great American novel. Many of our projects have been completed between client deadlines or while dinner is simmering on the stove.
If you want to make time for something the best thing you can do is schedule it on your calendar and treat that meeting, deadline or goal as seriously as you would a client meeting or a deadline.
Tal Florentin
Don’t wait for your idea to be “ready enough”.
Start today. Do the first small step right away. Start walking. Understand that the path is going to change while you walk, but know that only people who walk achieve their targets.
Also, choose to start with something that makes your dream a reality. For example, when I decided to write my first book, the first thing I worked on was the cover. I had a design contest and once the cover was designed, I printed it and hanged it on my wall.
At that point, the book was already a reality. All I had to do was fill it with content. The next step is to share it and telling others about it. This is the ultimate commitment that will make it happen.
Now for a tip to practically carry this out, open an account in any of the leading freelancer recruitment websites, such as Upwork, and get someone to start working on something for you. Even if this is just a minor part of your project, spend a few tens of dollars and see it start happening. Understanding the power of outsourcing and is a major step in the way.
Lior Frenkel
Don’t worry about failing too much.
Start today. No, start yesterday. You’re going to fail so much on the way, that the sooner you start, the faster you’ll get to the point where things start going as well as you wish they were. No one really gives a fuck as much as you think they do. So don’t be a hater on yourself. Just try something out. And when it doesn’t work, try something else. With time it turns into a fun game.
In order to start as soon as possible, find one supporter. Someone — a spouse, friend or brother — who understands what you’re going through and is there to support you when you feel that things aren’t going well. Make them a part of your project. Update them. Tell them how you feel, whether it’s bad or good. And be sure to take them for a drink to celebrate the small successes.
In The Side Project Accelerator, we help you build a sustainable routine and create the foundation for your side project. You’ll also become a member for life of our secret community and get access to exclusive mentor sessions, Q&A sessions and bonus material.
If that sounds like something that you’d enjoy, sign up for the waiting list.
