The stages that every project goes through…
- “I’m a creative genius. This new thing I’m working on is going to take over the world.”
- “This is crap. No one is going to like this. I’m an idiot.”
- Persevere anyway. There’s some value in finishing it, even if it’s not very good.
- A friends tells you that they like it. Attend a three-hour congratulation party; guest list: yourself.
- Another friend tells you that they don’t like it. Three nights of insomnia and self-loathing.
- Procrastinate for one week. Watch YouTube videos about cats. Listen to music. Read poetry. Eat ice cream.
- Complete rewrite. Previous friend says that they still don’t like it. Achieve peace and self-confidence independent of all other people’s opinions.
- “I LOVE THIS! I could work on this 24/7 and never be tired of it. This is what heaven must be like.”
- “I HATE THIS! This is hell. Why didn’t I pursue that career in tax accounting?”
- There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there. One more edit. No, just one more.
- “Get this thing away from me. Push it out the door; I don’t care if it’s finished. I never want to do another project like this as long as I live.”
- “Hey, I have an idea for another project…”
Start over from the beginning.