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Way to get motivated again: I get asked a lot why I left architecture and tech to be in product, and now, bootstrapping a relatively non-technical collaboratio
by motohagiography 8y ago
Way to get motivated again:
I get asked a lot why I left architecture and tech to be in product, and now, bootstrapping a relatively non-technical collaboration platform. My answer is that it's solving similar problems just at a higher level of abstraction. It's moving from a perfect information game of development to an imperfect information game of alignment and persuasion. It's like a context switch from chess to poker.* Going back into learning mode with books on sales and business is really refreshing.
Shockingly, once I cobbled my demo together it didn't just start raining term sheets. My impression is that people who know what it's like to be here don't let it out as not to discourage others.
However, what I still believe is, we don't regret things we take all the way. What we live to regret is the the pulled punch, the hedged bet, the b-plan, the retreat, the fold, the concession, the job, the approval of people we don't admire, the unsaid, the declined invitation, the judgment, the things we held on to or didn't let go, and the lack of belief in ourselves - these are the things that will shake you awake at night in middle age, and I assume, forever thereafter.
When you finish something, you need to "pop," up a level of problem solving. It's analogous skills, just with new tools and variables. Oddly, it's also a way to rest. There is an old saying that translates to "a change is as good as a break," and getting my code to the point where I could not touch it for a week while I worked my pipeline and have a demo meeting where it just worked was a huge confidence and energy boost.
Take time to invest in reading some books on business in your field. It has massive returns and feels like a break.
- danschumann 8y agoOh yea, I forgot one of my main reasons for not "switching horses" can also be applied to this spell. In the past, when a project reached the un-fun stage, I would convince myself another idea was better, and switch horses, or in a different case I got a job instead. In both cases I regretted not continuing on, and occasionally remind myself not to do either of those mistakes this time. Good call with that.