Leave and live
You gotta learn to let go.
If you're passionate about something, it's normal to become attached to it. Passion is perseverance, after all.
As a software developer that's allowed to mess with product development, I usually have a privileged place in my mind for ideas and findings. Whenever I feel like I've discovered something, my brain will just walk around it for a while, daydreaming.
But that can backfire. And that's the tough part. Sometimes a small purpose will go against a bigger one, and you won't realize. It's common among creative work and entrepreneurship altogether, since the line between obstinacy and pure persistence is thinner than you'd expect.
Whether you're a product developer or at least you see yourself as a forward-thinking creative person, this situation might seem familiar to you. Here's a piece of advice: learn to let go.
It won't be easy. Not at all. But these considerations can help:
- When you start doing something, think about why are you doing it. Keep it clear in your mind, and don't forget it.
- Learn to self criticize. Don't idealize your thoughts. Bonus points if you can find someone that will always tell you the truth, with no sugar on top.
- Plan ahead: are there any historical circumstances when you usually stick to your ideas more than you should? Get to know yourself.
- Improve your sources of information: make an effort to have non-biased data available, and get a second opinion about its meaning.
- Fail. Then be brave to fail again, but fail better, faster & smarter. You want to find a way, not just wander around.
During decision moments, remember the reason that motivated you to begin in the first place. If you're solving something, let go of the unnecessary thoughts and solve it.
Realizing about your own errors and acting opportunely it's a much better quality than "being right".
Don't get caught in the distractions. Let them go. Achieve things.
