How do you know if an idea will actually work?
The initial spark of an idea usually starts with a grand purpose and a wave of high motivation. However, over time, this process can turn into a cycle of professional and psychological exhaustion. As the project progresses, the idea hits walls relative to its purpose and fails to align with the real world. Sometimes, you have to give up right in the middle of building it; other times, as time passes and the idea keeps coming back to you, you begin to think it was just a nonsense idea in your mind all along. Watching a concept you once cherished slowly disintegrate like this is a process that pushes you to your psychological limits. As a founder or product leader, how do you prevent your mind from manipulating you with these ideas?
When and how do you realize that an idea will actually work and that it isn't just a mental trap?
Replies
I think testing it with real users early is the best way to know if an idea is worth building
Pick one risky assumption and set a small test with a deadline before building more
For example can three people complete the task with a manual version and ask to use it again? Decide beforehand what result would make you stop so your mood is not the deciding factor
Watching an idea you cared about slowly fall apart is really draining, and I don't think anyone who builds things is immune to that. What has helped me is only building things I use myself. If I don't use it, I can't tell what users need anyway. Most of what I've made over 27 years started as a fix for a tool that I or a client weren't happy with. So even with zero customers it still makes our work more efficient, and I have never shut one down.