Most developers can relate to having thousands of dream projects stuck in their "brain box," never seeing the light of day. During my undergrad, I started developing small projects fueled by curiosity and motivation of the unexplored dev world. But after entering the corporate world, that spark began to fade. Despite thinking of new ideas daily, I struggled to start or complete them.
As I tried to make sense of this behavior, I noticed a pattern—small things that slowly pile up and end up derailing everything, no matter how driven you are. Let’s break down these factors and see how they can quietly creep in and throw everything off track.
It Doesn’t Need to Be the Next “Viral” Thing
When we think about creating an app or a website, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of making it the next big hit. But out of the 3.3 million apps on the Play Store, only about 114,000 have ratings above 4 stars. That doesn’t mean the rest are failures, though.
Your project doesn’t need to attract everyone—it just needs to spark your curiosity or solve a problem that matters to you. Ironically, your chances of making something impactful actually increase when you focus on building and improving the project, instead of stressing about whether it will go viral. Once I figured this out, the pressure of starting a new project really eased up because I knew I was doing it for me, not for anyone else.
Make Your Own “Motivation”
Like a lot of people, I kick off new projects with tons of excitement—kind of like a New Year’s resolution. But by week two or three, that energy usually fizzles out. Next thing I know, I’m abandoning the project and moving on to the next one, caught in that endless procrastination loop.
To break that cycle, I came up with a reward system. For example, I’ll treat myself to a pack of my favorite noodles if I get through a module by the end of the week. It’s a small incentive, but it really helps me push through the tough spots.
Another thing that helps is having a buddy to keep me on track. A project partner or accountability buddy can give you a fresh perspective when you're stuck, remind you of your goals, and help keep you going through the rough patches. Having someone to talk to can really make a huge difference.
The “Perfect” Doesn’t Exist
Perfection is a trap. No project will ever be flawless. There will always be bugs, unfinished features, or things that don’t quite work the way you want them to—and that’s totally fine. Hesitating to start a project because you’re worried about the outcome is like refusing to try a new flavor just because you think you won’t like it. How will you know unless you try? The same goes for your dream projects.
In the beginning, I quit several good projects because I hit a roadblock or felt they weren’t “good enough.” But after failing a few times, I realized that perfection is a myth. Progress happens through consistent effort, iteration, and feedback. You’ll get closer to the “perfect” project by continually improving, not by waiting for it to be flawless from the start.
You Can Make “Dumb” Apps That Aren’t Useful
We tend to put pressure on ourselves to create something groundbreaking or super useful. But honestly, creativity thrives when there’s no pressure. I remember thinking about an idea for a simple local music app and dismissing it because it seemed “too simple.” I thought it wasn’t innovative enough.
Looking back, I realize those “dumb” ideas often lead to the most fun and unique projects. The key is just starting, whether the idea feels useful or impressive or not. It’s the process that counts.
Don’t Wait for “Holidays” to Start
Instead of waiting for the weekend or some big block of free time, try carving out a little bit of time each day for your project. Consistency is what helps you make real progress without burning out. Personally, I’ve found that breaking projects down into smaller modules and setting a goal to complete a few each week works wonders for me.
Spending just 12 minutes planning your day can save you up to two hours of wasted time. Research backs this up—taking the time to plan reduces the stress of feeling overwhelmed by the project as a whole. Breaking things down into manageable pieces really makes the whole process more enjoyable.
The Project Plan Doesn’t Need to Be the “Chosen One”
Large-scale projects often require tons of planning and teams of professionals. But when you’re working solo, you don’t need to have the perfect plan from the start. Over time, you’ll figure out a workflow that works for you as you tackle different projects—both successful and failed.
Remember, your first attempts will teach you some of your most valuable lessons. Embrace the learning process instead of stressing about starting perfectly.
Getting a side project done while balancing studies or a full-time job is a pretty big deal. But honestly, it's more about enjoying the process than stressing over the outcome. It’s not about creating the next viral hit; it’s about working on something that excites you and helps you learn. In the end, you’ll be glad you started, even if it’s messy. So, why wait? Take that first step today!!
Check out my blog here
Top comments (0)