The Ugly Truth: Overcoming the Developer's Dilemma

I constantly struggle with staying focused and disciplined enough to see my ideas and projects through to completion. This unfulfilled potential has taken a toll on my confidence. Every time I start a new project, a nagging fear whispers that it'll end up unfinished, another casualty in the graveyard of good intentions. This cycle has to stop.

I have so many dreams and goals. I have great aspirations. I have many projects I want to build. But the issue is that I'm easily distracted by new ideas. When a project starts to get tough, I'm tempted to abandon it and chase the next shiny object. I often struggle to stay focused on one and see it through when it gets challenging.

As developers, we have the unique opportunity and skills to turn our thoughts and ideas into reality. This often leads to having numerous projects we want to pursue. We believe that completing and sharing these projects with the world could significantly change our lives, yet many of us abandon them.

The challenge most of us have is that we:

• nurse the plan in our head and then do nothing about it. It's just an idea. Then we forget about it. Or
• write it down and then that's the end. Or
• write it down, make a plan, create a private repo on GitHub for it and then, that's the end. Or
• write it down, make a plan, create a repo on GitHub for it, work on it for a couple of days but then abandon it for the next idea.

Here are some of the reasons we abandon projects:

• we lose interest in it;
• We think its too difficult for us;
• We believe we don't have the resources or skill to build it;
• We tell ourselves that we are too busy to build it.

All the tools and resources we use today as developers are the products and creations of people who were courageous and disciplined to stick to their ideas even when it got difficult until completion. They persevered despite the fact that they don't have the skills or resources, and they figured out ways to still do it. They took continuous action, and figured out ways commit to it each day even when they were so busy and worked long hours on their day jobs.

Every great software started from an idea, a plan, then little actions taken a day at a time.

This is me talking more to myself than to anyone here.

Imagine if the developers of this incredible Dev.to community had slept on and abandoned their idea for this community, we wouldn't have this amazing platform where we learn and share ideas and resources.

Imagine the positive impact your idea, software, or tool could have if you see it through. Consider how it could transform your life and career.

We developers are creators, so let's create. Let's turn our ideas to reality.

We developers are builders, so let's build. Let's build the life and dreams we hope for.

We developers have the power to shape the world. Let's use it.

I believe so much in the words of Steve Jobs:

The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.

If you choose not to prioritize your dreams and fail to be disciplined and focused,

• you will spend your life, time, energy, skills, and resources working for those who do;
• you will work on projects that have no meaning to you;
• you will work with people you have no desire to work with;
• when you are no longer needed and deemed irrelevant or when they are tired of having you around, you will get laid off and replaced with either someone else or AI;
• then you will start the job hunting process anew;
• and then you will die with your dreams.

Therefore, I encourage you to revisit that idea, develop a concrete plan, and commit to working on it. Persist through challenges and find ways to overcome obstacles. Build the life you envision. Don't settle for working on someone else's dreams.

Build your own dreams or work on someone else's. The choice is yours.

I faith in your ideas and believe you can figure out a way to accomplish it. So do it.

Happy Coding DEVs ❤️🖤!