Side Project Lessons: My Top 5 Learnings

Hey guys! I wanted to share some insights and lessons I've picked up while building two side projects purely for fun. It's been quite the journey, and I've learned so much more than I initially anticipated. If you're thinking about diving into your own side project, or you're already knee-deep in one, I hope my experiences can offer some valuable takeaways.

1. Start with Passion, Not Profit

When embarking on side projects, start with passion to really fuel your drive. My first project was a web application that helps people discover local hiking trails. I'm an avid hiker myself, and I was frustrated with the lack of a centralized, user-friendly resource for finding trails in my area. The second project was a mobile game – a quirky puzzle game inspired by my love for brain teasers. Both projects stemmed from genuine interests, and that's what kept me motivated through the inevitable challenges.

When you're driven by passion, the work feels less like a chore and more like an exploration. You're more likely to persevere through setbacks and learn from your mistakes. This intrinsic motivation is crucial, especially when you're juggling a side project with your full-time job and other responsibilities. It's easy to lose steam if you're only in it for the potential financial rewards. Passion acts as your internal engine, pushing you forward even when the going gets tough. So, before you even start thinking about features or technology stacks, ask yourself: what truly excites you? What problem do you genuinely want to solve? Let that passion be your guiding star, illuminating the path ahead and infusing your project with the energy it needs to thrive. Remember, a project born from genuine interest has a far greater chance of becoming something truly special, something that not only benefits others but also brings you immense personal satisfaction.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of building the next big thing, the project that will make you a millionaire overnight. But trust me, focusing solely on profit is a recipe for burnout. If you don’t care about the problem you’re solving or the product you’re building, the process will feel like a slog. You'll quickly lose motivation, and the project will likely end up abandoned in the graveyard of unfinished side hustles. So, focus on passion, and the rest will follow. The joy of creating something cool and useful is a reward in itself.

2. Embrace the Learning Curve

Side projects are fantastic learning opportunities. In both of my projects, I deliberately chose technologies and approaches that were new to me. For the hiking trail app, I wanted to dive deeper into React and Node.js, even though I had only basic experience with them. The mobile game was an excuse to learn Unity, a game engine I'd been curious about for ages. This conscious decision to step outside my comfort zone was one of the best choices I made.

Embracing the learning curve is not just about acquiring new technical skills; it's also about cultivating a growth mindset. When you approach challenges as opportunities for learning, you become more resilient and adaptable. You're no longer afraid of making mistakes; instead, you see them as valuable feedback. This mindset is essential in the ever-evolving world of technology, where new tools and frameworks emerge constantly. By embracing the learning curve, you position yourself as a lifelong learner, always ready to tackle new challenges and explore uncharted territory. Moreover, the process of learning new things can be incredibly rewarding in itself. There's a unique satisfaction in mastering a new skill, in solving a complex problem, or in creating something you never thought you were capable of. This sense of accomplishment fuels your motivation and inspires you to take on even greater challenges in the future. So, don't shy away from the unknown; embrace it, dive in headfirst, and let the learning curve propel you to new heights.

I stumbled, I Googled relentlessly, and I spent countless hours debugging. But through the struggle, I learned more than I ever could have in a classroom or a tutorial. I discovered new libraries, picked up design patterns, and gained a much deeper understanding of the technologies I was using. More importantly, I learned how to learn effectively. I developed my problem-solving skills, my ability to research and find answers, and my resilience in the face of frustration. Side projects become your personal learning sandbox, a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow without the pressures of a professional environment. Each challenge overcome, each bug squashed, is a victory that fuels your confidence and expands your skillset. The knowledge you gain isn't just theoretical; it's practical, hands-on experience that will benefit you in your career and in future projects.

3. Scope Creep is the Enemy

It’s so easy to fall victim to scope creep in side projects. You start with a simple idea, but then you think, “Oh, it would be cool if it also did this…” and “What if I added that feature too?” Before you know it, you’ve got a monstrous project that’s far beyond your initial vision. I definitely experienced this with both of my projects.

Scope creep is the insidious enemy of productivity and project completion. It starts with good intentions, with the desire to add more value or make your product even better. But unchecked, it can quickly spiral out of control, transforming a manageable task into an overwhelming behemoth. Each new feature, each additional bell and whistle, adds complexity and time to the project. What was once a clear roadmap becomes a tangled web of tasks, making it difficult to prioritize and stay on track. As the scope expands, the finish line recedes into the distance, leading to frustration, burnout, and ultimately, project abandonment. The key to combating scope creep is to be ruthless in your prioritization. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a stripped-down version of your project that delivers the core functionality. Focus on the essential features that solve the primary problem, and resist the urge to add anything extraneous. Once you've launched your MVP and gathered user feedback, you can then iterate and add new features based on actual needs and priorities. This iterative approach allows you to stay agile, adapt to changing requirements, and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary complexity. Remember, it's better to launch a simple, functional product than to spend months or years building a feature-rich monster that never sees the light of day.

For the hiking app, I initially planned to include detailed topographic maps, user reviews, and social sharing features. For the game, I envisioned multiple levels, complex storylines, and online multiplayer. But I quickly realized that I was biting off more than I could chew. I had to learn to prioritize ruthlessly and cut features that weren't essential to the core functionality. This was a tough but crucial lesson. I learned the value of starting small, focusing on the MVP (Minimum Viable Product), and iterating based on user feedback. A well-defined scope is your shield against the chaos of feature creep. It allows you to maintain focus, manage your time effectively, and ultimately, bring your project to completion. Don't be afraid to say no to good ideas if they don't align with your core vision or if they threaten to derail your progress. Remember, you can always add features later, but you can't un-bloat a project that's become too unwieldy.

4. Imperfect is Better Than Never

Perfectionism is a major roadblock for many side project enthusiasts. We get so caught up in making everything perfect – the code, the design, the marketing – that we never actually ship anything. I’m definitely guilty of this. With both of my projects, I spent way too much time tweaking minor details and polishing features that didn't really matter.

Embrace the mantra that imperfect is better than never. It's a powerful antidote to the paralysis of perfectionism. The pursuit of perfection is a noble goal, but it can often become a self-defeating obsession. When you're fixated on making every detail flawless, you risk getting bogged down in minutiae and losing sight of the bigger picture. You spend hours tweaking colors, refactoring code, or crafting the perfect marketing message, while the core functionality of your project remains incomplete. This relentless pursuit of perfection not only wastes time and energy but also creates a sense of pressure and anxiety. You become afraid of releasing your project because you fear it won't live up to your own impossibly high standards. The result is often a project that languishes in development hell, never seeing the light of day. The reality is that no project is ever truly perfect. There will always be bugs, design flaws, and areas for improvement. But that's okay. The most important thing is to get your project out there, to share it with the world, and to start getting feedback. This feedback is invaluable because it allows you to learn and iterate. You can identify the real pain points of your users and focus your efforts on addressing them. So, don't let perfection be the enemy of good. Embrace the imperfections, launch your project, and learn from the experience.

I learned to embrace the concept of “good enough.” It’s better to launch a slightly buggy app with a few rough edges than to spend months or years trying to make it flawless. Users are surprisingly forgiving, especially if your project solves a real problem or provides genuine value. They're often willing to overlook minor imperfections in exchange for functionality and usefulness. More importantly, getting your project out there allows you to gather valuable feedback, which you can then use to iterate and improve. You can't know what users truly want or need until they've actually used your product. Launching an imperfect project is an act of bravery, a willingness to expose your creation to the scrutiny of the world. But it's also an act of wisdom, a recognition that feedback is the lifeblood of any successful project. So, don't be afraid to ship something that's not perfect. Embrace the imperfections, learn from the feedback, and keep iterating. Your project will be better for it.

5. Community is a Superpower

Building in public and engaging with a community is a game-changer. I started sharing my progress on Twitter and joining relevant online communities for both projects. The feedback, encouragement, and support I received were invaluable. Other developers offered suggestions, pointed out bugs, and even contributed code. Users provided feedback on features and helped me prioritize improvements.

Community is a superpower because it amplifies your efforts and accelerates your learning. When you build in isolation, you're limited by your own knowledge, experience, and perspective. You may struggle with problems that others have already solved, or you may overlook opportunities for improvement. By engaging with a community, you tap into a collective intelligence, a vast pool of knowledge and expertise that can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals. The feedback you receive from the community can be invaluable. Users can provide insights into how your project is being used, identify pain points, and suggest new features. Developers can offer advice on technical challenges, point out bugs, and even contribute code. This collaborative process not only improves the quality of your project but also fosters a sense of shared ownership and investment. Building in public also allows you to connect with potential users, customers, and collaborators. You can build an audience for your project, generate excitement and anticipation, and even find early adopters who are willing to support your work. This community can become a powerful force for growth, helping you to promote your project, attract new users, and even generate revenue. So, don't be a lone wolf. Embrace the power of community, connect with others, and build something amazing together.

I realized that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. Other developers were facing the same challenges, and we could learn from each other. The community became a source of inspiration, motivation, and accountability. It also helped me to market my projects. Sharing my progress online generated interest and led to early adopters. Building in public transformed my side projects from solitary endeavors into collaborative journeys. The connections I made, the feedback I received, and the support I gained were instrumental in my progress. Engage with other developers, share your work, and be open to feedback. The benefits are immeasurable. The shared enthusiasm, the collective problem-solving, and the sense of camaraderie can make the entire journey more enjoyable and rewarding.

Final Thoughts

Building side projects for fun has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I've learned so much, not just about technology, but about myself, my work habits, and the power of passion and community. If you're considering starting your own side project, I encourage you to go for it. It won't always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

These lessons, guys, weren’t just about coding or project management; they were about personal growth, resilience, and the joy of creation. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and start building! You might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.