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simonis

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"pick 1 thing and do it right!" Is generally the more sensible approach, but I'd like to commit to all 3.

I'm a creative / tech / marketing / designer with a business degree. I went to school for business while being mostly interested in technology, I figured it would be more sensible to have a business degree while learning about computers/technology instead.

I don't think tech guys get the respect they deserve, especially not early on, working for an app company short term years ago I experienced how the sales team had more fun while the tech team always felt like they were pressured to keep up with the latest bug. To be in technology for a trade takes a lot of experience and credit people just don't reward the same way imo as managerial/sales roles .

Anyway,

I have 3 projects, I'd like to develop them all.

1 - ClassFind - Web App to help people find their classrooms at University
2 - INDICANADA - Cannabis company
3 - MadPerfect.com - Independent content creator. Thought pieces, advice, analysis

1, 2 are in motion. 3 I have a backlog of content ideas ready to execute.

The last 5 years of my life has been really geared towards personal development, acquiring equipment/gaining experience. Had some stress the pass couple years, I think part of it is a realization that the world is not set up well to encourage a healthy living, and it's hard to see anyone who's happy with their current circumstances. With that, it's hard to find a path worth pursuing, and I've come to the conclusion I have to create a new path that will work to create the healthy living.

So to end this post I guess I came here to try to an engage with anyone who's in the same position as me. I've tried to connect and make relationships with other content creators, but they rarely have the 'entrepreneurial' mindset or drive. Most creatives have to wait for someone else to do it first, then they feel comfortable copying/imitating it, whereas I always felt more comfortable having confidence leading.

I'm not driven to succeed to become a millionaire, I really would just like to sustain a living helping others and trying to monetize my activity in the process. I'm all about organic followers and growth rate, possibly to a fault where I reject tricks others use to gain a following like using buzzwords or doing contests/giveaways.

Thanks for reading!

- Greg
 
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NMdad

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What are the quickest ways you can validate those ideas?
 

simonis

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What are the quickest ways you can validate those ideas?

I believe all 3 could, possibly interconnected, provide a platform to distribute content/information to people in helpful ways. With enough work/content/persistence/right formula I hope to provide a consistent quality product on all 3, but the direction on some has to be determined.
INDICANADA has been a recent focus but the direction is unclear, I will elaborate more of this later but to summarize current legalization limits INDICANADA to focusing solely on public speaking/podcasting/web content rather than seed sales/breeding genetics/offering starter material for the time being. Might still be bit of taboo subject around here but hope not!
ClassFind needs for me to focus on the back-end, I've gained some more knowledge in how to implement that in recent years, and the technology on the web has improved a lot which helps. Once I've polished it up at bit from its current state I'd like to have a system to generate revenue, likely by implementing a subscription model.
Madperfect is my opportunity to be a content creator with the initial goal of generate traffic to the website primarily to build a platform that I can earn a modest revenue through producing regular content. This is hard to validate in concrete terms as I have to begin to produce a regular amount of content and see what direction it leads a bit. I have a backlog of topics from the past 6+ years (some meh, some good, some not bad!) that I want to cover in list.
 

NMdad

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By validation, I was referring more to how can you talk to (like literally talk to) prospective customers & see if they'll pay you for the idea. There are all kinds of things we COULD create, but validation from paying customers tells you whether the idea is worth doing.
 
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Rabby

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I just listened to Tim Ferris podcast #362 with Graham Duncan.

It's worth a listen for several reasons, including that it is a psychonaut's journey disguised as a talk about hiring financial managers. I was amazed by the thinking and psychology parts.

One thing Graham Duncan says that I think is really valid is this. I'll paraphrase. People with lots of ideas are valuable to society. They're the people who are making up reality as they go, and everyone else can end up living in their world. At the same time, pruning those ideas and finding which ones to focus on in the moment is one of the most valuable skills for these people.

I take this to heart because, like you, I usually have 3 projects going on at a time (and 100 more in the back of my mind).

From my experience what I would say is this. You don't necessarily have to kill off your lesser ideas. But you'll probably only be able to "really" focus on one of them at a time. So think on @NMdad 's question... how can you quickly verify the need? One of your 3 ideas might generate interest that blows the others away... that's what I think you want to find.

What you don't want is to have 3 projects that all have no traction, and to find yourself pushing all of them from behind. If that happens, you're not finding the need... you're just pushing.

Good luck :)
 

Sprocket

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"pick 1 thing and do it right!" Is generally the more sensible approach, but I'd like to commit to all 3.

I'm a creative / tech / marketing / designer with a business degree. I went to school for business while being mostly interested in technology, I figured it would be more sensible to have a business degree while learning about computers/technology instead.

I don't think tech guys get the respect they deserve, especially not early on, working for an app company short term years ago I experienced how the sales team had more fun while the tech team always felt like they were pressured to keep up with the latest bug. To be in technology for a trade takes a lot of experience and credit people just don't reward the same way imo as managerial/sales roles .

Anyway,

I have 3 projects, I'd like to develop them all.

1 - ClassFind - Web App to help people find their classrooms at University
2 - INDICANADA - Cannabis company
3 - MadPerfect.com - Independent content creator. Thought pieces, advice, analysis

1, 2 are in motion. 3 I have a backlog of content ideas ready to execute.

The last 5 years of my life has been really geared towards personal development, acquiring equipment/gaining experience. Had some stress the pass couple years, I think part of it is a realization that the world is not set up well to encourage a healthy living, and it's hard to see anyone who's happy with their current circumstances. With that, it's hard to find a path worth pursuing, and I've come to the conclusion I have to create a new path that will work to create the healthy living.

So to end this post I guess I came here to try to an engage with anyone who's in the same position as me. I've tried to connect and make relationships with other content creators, but they rarely have the 'entrepreneurial' mindset or drive. Most creatives have to wait for someone else to do it first, then they feel comfortable copying/imitating it, whereas I always felt more comfortable having confidence leading.

I'm not driven to succeed to become a millionaire, I really would just like to sustain a living helping others and trying to monetize my activity in the process. I'm all about organic followers and growth rate, possibly to a fault where I reject tricks others use to gain a following like using buzzwords or doing contests/giveaways.

Thanks for reading!

- Greg
Hi! Sounds like you have a lot of ideas, I’m no expert but I’ve fallen into the trap of trying to do too much at once and it can be quite demotivating!

I just read essentialism by Greg mcKeown and it really made me think about what was really achievable. His focus is on “less but better”. That and a pep talking from Andy Black (not worked out how tag yet!) really got me to clarify and focus.

I’m not saying this applies to you, just food for thought... I really wish you well, keep us posted with your progress!
 

simonis

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67%
Mar 6, 2019
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By validation, I was referring more to how can you talk to (like literally talk to) prospective customers & see if they'll pay you for the idea. There are all kinds of things we COULD create, but validation from paying customers tells you whether the idea is worth doing.

I suppose seeking validation from the eyes of a paying customer when each industry is different and the paying customer is either a bunch of customers (i.e subscription model for ClassFind) or possibly an ad revenue model through content creation is not necessarily how I'd begin to venture into a new industry where there is no existing model just yet you can or would like to directly imitate. It's also not quite appropriate to refer to what I'm doing as ideas, they are yearlong projects that have an audience, generate value and a modest revenue already, they are in development not in incubator.

I just listened to Tim Ferris podcast #362 with Graham Duncan.

It's worth a listen for several reasons, including that it is a psychonaut's journey disguised as a talk about hiring financial managers. I was amazed by the thinking and psychology parts.

One thing Graham Duncan says that I think is really valid is this. I'll paraphrase. People with lots of ideas are valuable to society. They're the people who are making up reality as they go, and everyone else can end up living in their world. At the same time, pruning those ideas and finding which ones to focus on in the moment is one of the most valuable skills for these people.

I take this to heart because, like you, I usually have 3 projects going on at a time (and 100 more in the back of my mind).

From my experience what I would say is this. You don't necessarily have to kill off your lesser ideas. But you'll probably only be able to "really" focus on one of them at a time. So think on @NMdad 's question... how can you quickly verify the need? One of your 3 ideas might generate interest that blows the others away... that's what I think you want to find.

What you don't want is to have 3 projects that all have no traction, and to find yourself pushing all of them from behind. If that happens, you're not finding the need... you're just pushing.

Good luck :)

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. I definitely intend to place more focus on some than others which has already been the case. Ideally I'd like for INDICANADA to be more a passive-income/hobby but I suppose if there is more opportunity there I'll put more focus on that. ClassFind would ultimately have to become hands off to some degree to and self sustaining, that's why I'd like to develop the backend to allow people to manage it also.

I'll check out the podcast episode too, I'm a really big podcast listener but moderate the amount of business minded ones, I just feel like I'm learning but get guilty if I'm not actually 'doing' anything ha. Will make the exception though.
 
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Last edited:

simonis

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
67%
Mar 6, 2019
6
4
Hi! Sounds like you have a lot of ideas, I’m no expert but I’ve fallen into the trap of trying to do too much at once and it can be quite demotivating!

I just read essentialism by Greg mcKeown and it really made me think about what was really achievable. His focus is on “less but better”. That and a pep talking from Andy Black (not worked out how tag yet!) really got me to clarify and focus.

I’m not saying this applies to you, just food for thought... I really wish you well, keep us posted with your progress!

Definitely! Some will lose focus, but I think they could be all be manageable to some degree. I'll try to be as realistic as possible while not limiting myself either.

Thanks for the footnote about the author and speaker, I'll likely check them out! Appreciate you following along, helps to have people around I think keeping you tabs on your progress.
 

ExaltedLife

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Yeah you can use the ClassFind app to trick them into walking into your pot store instead.
 

simonis

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Mar 6, 2019
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Yeah you can use the ClassFind app to trick them into walking into your pot store instead.

:rofl:, that or link to MadPerfect. I think people will know where the pot stores are as there will be only handful in the whole province, and I don’t intend to sell bud down the line if it become legal to either.
 
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Sprocket

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Definitely! Some will lose focus, but I think they could be all be manageable to some degree. I'll try to be as realistic as possible while not limiting myself either.

Thanks for the footnote about the author and speaker, I'll likely check them out! Appreciate you following along, helps to have people around I think keeping you tabs on your progress.
Do you know, I shamefully haven’t added a single progress thread, but I’m going to do it! I’m working on building more content for our brand so it would be good to have you follow :)
 

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