Actually, we bootstrapped for 2 years. We had launch coverage in lifehacker, mashable, the atlantic and entrepreneur magazine. We had over 10,000 users the first month. We got to the point where we needed some funding to go all-in, but everyone we spoke to was really burned on the task management space. Based on this experience, I'm really interested in how someone can take on the task management space in a way that gets noticed.
How do you "just say you're building todo-list software" and not get laughed out of the room? Investors say the space is too crowded, and engineers joke about it being one of their first classroom assignments. And even if you're making traction on the vision to replace the inbox, Y-Combinator's partners will turn you down.
Your homepage is confusing, but it seems you log what people have done. Have you seen idonethis.com from AngelPad? Very similar concept with a creative implementation (email), and eerily similar name.
It's fascinating that despite all the to-do apps, people still resort to home-grown, highly manual solutions. Do people think there will eventually be an app that works for the masses, or will planning continue to be a personal, isolated experience?
To-do lists do work. What the author lacks is a today list.
The purpose of the to-do list is to keep track of everything you have to do for the rest of your life. You should not be working off of it everyday or, as the author notes, it will overwhelm/paralyze you.
The purpose of the today list is to focus on one day at a time. A today list is a subset of the to-do list, the items you need to think about that day.
This simple distinction goes a long way. With a today list, you can actually get through your day, and feel good when the list is done.
Sorry for the plug, I won't make that mistake again. I did think/hope it would be relevant to the writer. Thanks for trying LazyMeter and for the feedback; we have a lot more planned, including native apps.
The thing that's always missing from these articles is the definition of productivity. Is it doing more? Is it working more hours?
What most people don't realize is that productivity is not about how much you do - it's about how you feel at the end of the day. Don't forget why you're working in the first place. Effective productivity is simply doing what needs to be done, one day at a time. The key is turning your overwhelming to-do list into an actionable today list - so you're working towards an achievable goal each day. When you're working towards an end point, you'll get things done much more quickly, and you'll have no reason to procrastinate.
Productivity doesn't need to be stressful or overwhelming; it can actually be very fulfilling if you look at it the right way. Stop focusing on "work" and focus on progress instead.
Being in the productivity space, I read many articles like this each day, and you're right - it's the same advice.
With LazyMeter, we sought to build not just a new philosophy, but also a tool that helps you adopt it. Our goal is to motivate you by making your to-do list achievable and showing you how much you've done. We also show you how much you procrastinate - it's amazing how powerful a little awareness can be. Would love to hear what you think. http://www.LazyMeter.com
This is exactly the philosophy behind LazyMeter. We help people focus on one day at a time and feel accomplished. It's all about working towards a clear goal. http://www.lazymeter.com
We automatically build your daily to-do list, and we provide the only workflow that lets you clear out your to-do list everyday. We also show you your progress add up. It's very satisfying.
I was a chronic procrastinator before co-founding LazyMeter. Now, I get more done in less time, and enjoy my evenings without worrying I've forgotten something. We have over 12,000 users so far.
As a seller on Amazon, do not expect the same level of service and efficiency you receive as a buyer. I had a client selling on Amazon that had all kinds of surprises. On one occasion, they took down listings because the product was selling too well - it took days to resolve, and the launch's momentum was killed.
Here's the key to getting these issues resolved:
1) Always use phone support, not email support. Email support will almost always paste the easiest reply - it may as well be automated. Phone support gets you a a real human being on the phone who will actually listen and understand what's going on.
2) Keep escalating. If they deny your appeal, appeal again. There is absolutely no consistency in how they handle these situations. One person may say there's nothing that can be done, the next will push a button and instantly make the problem go away. And the more you annoy them, the more it's worth their while to actually look at and resolve your problem.
Given the clunky user experience of earlier Kindle models, did people really expect something on par with an iPad? Trusting amazon to fix it is key - it's fine as long as they move forward quickly.
Given all the interviews I've read with Bezos bragging about their revolutionary new browser, I'd be most disappointed by slow load times. They over-promised on this feature.
I still wonder if AirBnB would have made it through the trough of sorrow following this model.
Regardless, a great framework to consider. Startups can drag on indefinitely and we should consider the opportunity cost of hanging on to a single project. It's okay to move on, and it's okay to fail.
Startups are about making difficult choices. Quitting your job is easy, especially if it's "soul-sucking". Be sure you're quitting because you need to build something that can't be built any other way. If you have a fantasy of walking out the door and hitting it big, this is a warning sign. If the idea doesn't keep you focused for more than a few hours a day, and doesn't keep you up past midnight, that's another warning sign.
Working consistent long hours does not mean you're getting more done. I believe RescueTime has data showing the average person at work 8-hours a day is only working 2-4 hours. The people I know who are consistently first in and last out are not getting more done - in fact they're usually doing it to make up for something. One theory on productivity says procrastinators and workaholics have the same core issue - but respond to it in opposite ways.
This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when George Castanza leaves his car at work so his boss thinks he's always there.
We need to stop measuring productivity by hours worked. Instead, productivity should be about finishing what you set out to do. If that only takes 4 hours, GO HOME. Plan the next day. Get some rest. Your output will be higher, and you'll be healthier and happier.
It may be a sign you're not working on the right things. Seriously consider why you don't want to do the work.
It may also be that you're overwhelmed. You can use LazyMeter to focus on one day at a time, and measure your productivity to see if the problem is laziness or signing up for too much. http://www.lazymeter.com
Agreed. I love your excitement and energy, but there's no reason you can't explore this idea while at Yale, or during a summer break. When you do a startup, you should look at the worst case scenario - you may regret falling behind in studies. The odds are you're going to fail, and things take much longer than planned - are you okay with that? Oh, and if you want to raise money any time soon, you may want to think about a different market. I don't want to be a downer, but I think it's important that the startup fantasy be balanced with reality. Good luck!