Your original idea is the core purpose of doing your work for your users. We often stray a little over time as we think of new things to add or the tiny changes we make. Is this beneficial for you, your idea, and those you wish to help?
This is an exercise where you’ve reached the goal of actually completing your idea. It’s live. It’s available. People are using it and reaping the benefits of your hard work. It’s vulnerable.
How will you know if your idea is a success? You don’t need fancy growth charts, milestone maps, and achievement metrics. Success is different for everyone, but there is some goal or milestone that when you reach it, you’ll feel like your idea was a success.
You want your work to be amazing. We all do. But if you strive to reach perfection you’re not only more likely to fail, you’re missing out on the powerful side effects of releasing when it’s done enough.
You have an idea you want to create to help others. That is the definition of being an entrepreneur, after all. But you already know you can’t get it all done instantly. Big ideas take a long time to complete, and every situation is different.
You’ve probably heard of the 1,000 true fans principle. The 1,000 people who are into your work and support you. But there is a subset of fans within fans. The real, true fans. The super fans.
This is a simple but powerful exercise when you are validating your idea. You could almost think of it as a mental prototype to gain a new perspective of your idea. What would you yourself think about your idea if someone else was pitching it to you?
Your work should be for a particular, defined person. Also known as a buyer persona, or target audience. You need to know exactly who you will change with the work you put into the world so you can focus your time actually helping them.
This guide is inspired by Seth Godwin’s “The Practice,” an excellent book all creator’s should read.