Having Lots of Ideas; Work on All or Few and How to Know?
I have a bunch of different ideas from web to desktop applications. But how do you know which to work on if you believe (and have consulted others) to be fairly equal in a potential future (and you're interested in each equally). And at what point should you realize that you should move on to something else?
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[ 4.7 ms ] story [ 24.6 ms ] threadPick the one you can stand to spend every working hour on for a few years (assuming it proves a workable idea, and you see a path forward at each milestone you reach along the way), and forget about everything else.
Every nerd has a lot of ideas. You are not unique. The difference between you and the ones who succeed is that they commit to something and go all-in. They may have to do it a half dozen times, or maybe the first one will be the winner. Doesn't matter. Until you focus on something, you probably won't make something great.
For inspiration look at the BCG matrix: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth-share_matrix
I've written about this on my blog, where I have discussed this and similar topics in greater depth: http://www.fourthirds.com/which-idea-to-bet-on/.
You might also be interested in reading Seth Godin's short book The Dip. This discusses ways in which you can decide when enough is enough.
I'm always happy to be a sounding board, in as confidential a manner as you wish, for ideas and offer advice on what to do next. Hit me up at the blog if you want to take the convo further.
Good luck!
> at what point should you realize that you should move on to something else
When you or your trusted partner(s) no longer believe in it. (the trusted partner is needed because most everyone is susceptible to being blinded. Between the lot of you hopefully one can see the truth.)