Ask HN: Being afraid and not knowing how to start building a startup concept
It involves a digital product, and luckily I am a developer. Before I go into any coding I want to have the concept nailed down and solid, and then commit to building it.
To start, i asked some advice in my office. I work with service designers, and they told me "refine your problem statement".
I'm currently panicking in front of a blank piece of paper at the moment. Fear of writing bullshit, fear of not knowing what to actually do, fear of it not being good enough, just paralysis. Total writer's block.
Unfortunately I procrastinate easily, due to fear of failing and due to me not being able to resolve questions such as "is this better than that?" in my mind. I would love for some kind of "process" or "structure" to guide me through the whole thing. How to get into a roll and keep building this thing, so to say.
I've read "the first 100" but i find that super vague and the thousand references the author gives keep distracting me. I think i need something a bit more rigid, like a set of tasks and examples for that on how to do it.
Is there any tool, process, formal way, that can help me through this? I don't mind paying for some product or course if it really adds some value. :)
Anything? :) Thanks <3
3 comments
[ 3.5 ms ] story [ 19.2 ms ] threadErrors are the most enriching part of the process and can provide valuable lessons and make you closer to your goal. So don't be afraid to start. Just do it.
Prototyping can be handy to test a few concepts before investing your time coding. invisionapp.com is my fav tool. You can even share the prototype with a group of your target audience/users to get feedback.
If you want to go deeper and learn more about how to focus on your project priorities and productivity, I strongly recommend these books:
https://www.amazon.com/Scrum-Doing-Twice-Work-Half/dp/038534...
https://www.amazon.com/Sprint-Solve-Problems-Test-Ideas/dp/1...
I wish you success on your journey!
I would be cautious, talking about your startup at work. Definitely don't work on it at work or with company equipment. Check any employment contracts and see if there are any clauses regarding IP or your company owning anything you do while employed.