Let’s talk about projects! Not everybody has one. Some people have small projects, others bigger projects and the rest of them don’t have one at all.
When I’m talking about projects I also include small businesses or perhaps simply a blog “born” to be an answer to a problem. That’s how I see projects.
Honestly, I am interested in every project that stands out and tries to become a solution to a known problem. This post has been in the making all day; I began writing it in the early morning on a sheet of paper in 3 colors, filled with doodles and ideas.
How do you start a project?
In order to start a project you first have to answer the following question “What problem does my project solve?”
When you’ve found your problem, go to your room, or perhaps a park or wherever you can be quiet, put a sheet of paper and a pen in front of you (ok, a laptop or a pad sound more 2.0) and write down your ideas.
First of all, write down the problem. Bold it and circle it.
Then you can begin with your ideas for this problem. Don’t be surprised if you won’t immediately succeed, so be prepared with several sheets of paper (or in the case of gadget fanatics, a longer running battery if you’re in the park).
After you have written everything down and in your mind you somewhat have an idea about what exactly should your project contain and it answers the question WHY, the best part comes in.
Evangelizing the project!
But here, watch out for why you go to. If you get your idea to passive people that would rather turn over in their bed than get up and do something, then you better not even think about them. On the contrary, get rid of this people. They won’t help you at all. They will just cut your wings.
Look for objective people, people with dreams and courage to do something. People that have failed but did not abandon the battle. And if can also meet people specialized in the field you want to start in, you’re even more lucky. Buy them a coffee and meet up with them to listen to their ideas and experience. Priceless. Also, beware and watch who you’re sharing your idea with. After all, you don’t want to hear your idea shouted from another rooftop the next day.
During all this time, start working.
Invest in your project. Invest time. A valuable thing will never be born in a day and be successful the same evening. All important projects take time. And nowadays, time is one of the most valuable things.
1. Invest in information.
Look for as much general and practical information you can. Try to get all the information you might need for the project or might give you a new enthusiasm in the same place. Information form books, websites, blogs, papers, magazines. Always watch out for information.
2. Invest quality.
If you want it to be something beautiful and professional, you need quality stuff. You don’t want your project’s image to be created by your cousin that has just started working in Photoshop and she might make you a logo.
3. Invest in image and quality.
Always look for the best things and the pest people.
4. Invest in relationships.
People around you can help your project. Look to invest in relationships that count. Buying a coffee for one of the people that pushed you to start your project, that’s already an investment. And now, with social media, you can easily find people from your project’s field who might be willing to help you.
When does a project bring you money? After all, that’s where we all want to get. It’s rather simple. Investors will invest money in a long running project that already has a backbone. A project with a vision and a community. A project with the trust of at least 100 people. A positive project that is SOMETHING. But in order for that to happen, you have to invest first and get your money back only after a while. And as long as your parents take care of you and you have enough time to do something, what’s holing you back from doing it?
You don’t think the world needs you? You don’t think the world needs your ideas? You don’t think the world needs your projects and solutions? You’re wrong.
You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to start a project. You can be a high school student with an allowance, or a student that is still supported by his parents. You don’t need a lot of money to start a project. Although, you do need some.
If you want your own website domain, if you want to hire a great freelance designer, if you want to buy books and magazines, buy coffee for some people you meet up with.
In this case you do need to save a little.
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