Sometimes going to bed is really hard for me. I like to maintain the state that I’m in–no matter what that state may be. Once I am in bed it’s done and out out like a light. But I never want to wake up. It doesn’t matter how many hours I’ve slept. The same goes for being awake. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been going, I just want to stay awake and keep doing stuff.
Stuff. What is this stuff I do?
Sometimes I write. Other times I veg out and watch ‘How It’s Made’ until the infomercials come on. Video games are always an option. I work in the garage on random projects. Computer projects can kill hours. I never have trouble finding something to work on.
The hard part is keeping it all straight and prioritizing my efforts. That is the real struggle for me. I’m easily entertained, curious and interested in many things. Everything has potential. I’ve recognized this fact and I’m making steps to improve my focus but it’s not easy. I like the beginning of projects the most. That newness of a raw idea and the energy that it gives me is really hard to ignore. I like diving in and solving the problems, making the big plan and sorting out the details. Of course, I always buy a domain name to match.
The problem is when you have all these projects and ideas nothing is real. I test things in the real world. Small tests to gauge interest. I’ve read that this is smart, that you need to create the MVP (minimum viable product) to see if your idea has traction. The problem is that many ideas, some of the best ones, are really bad in their early stages. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created their legendary ‘blue box’ as their first venture. This illegal device was the beginning of Apple computer in some ways. No one would have suggested that if they kept working together they would create the Apple Computer we know today.
“If it hadn’t been for the Blue Box, there would have been no Apple.” — Steve Jobs
There are many other examples. Have you seen the first versions of Amazon or eBay. AirBnB was passed on my so many high-profile, genius investors because the concept seemed so ridiculous early on.
How do you recognize the germ of something in the chaos of a young idea? Can you really trust the public to see that, or is it something you have to personally feel, nurture and develop–despite the forces telling you to stop. It’s probably a lot of both. I haven’t cracked the code, but I will keep trying.