3 lessons from 900 days of coding startups

Summary

After being fired as a software engineer in 2021, the creator began building small websites with the goal of financial independence. Over time, he grew seven websites generating $121,000 in a month, emphasizing that 92% was profit. He shares lessons from his journey: ship the smallest version of a product quickly, stay consistent by practicing daily, leverage social interactions and healthy competition for motivation, and avoid burnout by moving on from projects too early rather than overinvesting in one. His story highlights persistence, disciplined habits, and strategic risk-taking as keys to entrepreneurial success in the tech world.

Takeaways

• 💻 After being fired as a software engineer, the creator started building small websites to achieve financial independence.
• 💰 Within 30 days, seven websites generated $121,000, with 92% of that being profit, all as a solo developer.
• 📈 Consistency over time is key—showing up every day, even when results are not immediate, compounds into success.
• 🎯 Launch small, minimal versions of products quickly to test ideas and avoid burnout from long development cycles.
• 🧠 Internal motivation can be gamified by leveraging healthy competition with peers to stay productive.
• 🤝 Social interactions, like engaging in developer communities, help maintain motivation and accountability.
• 🔥 Avoid burnout by quitting projects early if necessary and moving on, rather than over-investing in one without results.
• 💡 Each project should generate at least some revenue or feedback, even if small, to maintain momentum and learning.
• 📅 Consistent practice, like daily coding sessions, helps build the 'muscle' of shipping products regularly.
• 🏆 Entrepreneurs who persistently show up and ship products will eventually be rewarded, as demonstrated by personal and community examples.
• 🛠️ Diversifying projects helps manage expectations and reduces the psychological burden of relying on one project for success.
• 🎥 Sharing progress publicly, such as on Twitter or social media, can motivate continued effort and growth.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to start building tiny websites?

The speaker was motivated by the goal of becoming financially independent after getting fired as a software engineer in November 2021.

How much income did the speaker generate in the last 30 days at the time of recording?

The speaker made $121,000 in the last 30 days, with 92% of that being profit.

Did the speaker work with a team or employees?

No, the speaker worked solo without employees, meetings, or deadlines.

How did joining Twitter contribute to the speaker's journey?

By joining Twitter, the speaker connected with other developers pursuing similar goals, which provided motivation, accountability, and the chance to share progress and learnings.

What role did persistence play in the speaker's success?

Persistence was crucial; the speaker kept showing up every day for 600 days, despite challenges, and believes that luck is a function of consistent effort over time.

What is the 'smallest version' strategy the speaker uses for projects?

The speaker focuses on shipping the minimal viable version of a product—often one feature built in a few days—to quickly get it in front of customers and avoid burnout.

How does competition influence the speaker's motivation?

The speaker leverages healthy competition by comparing progress and engagement with peers, which motivates him to perform better without fostering jealousy.

Why does the speaker work on multiple projects instead of just one?

Working on multiple projects prevents burnout by keeping expectations low; if one project fails to grow, he can move on without becoming frustrated or demotivated.

What is the speaker's advice for maintaining consistency in development work?

The speaker recommends practicing daily, even for just one hour, to develop a habit, and combining this with small projects, community involvement, and strategic quitting to stay motivated.

What lessons does the speaker share about handling failure and burnout?

The speaker emphasizes launching early and moving on quickly rather than over-investing in one project, highlighting that it's better to quit too early than to quit too late and risk burnout.

How does social interaction play a role in the speaker’s productivity?

Although the speaker prefers solitude, he uses social interactions with like-minded peers on Twitter to stay motivated and accountable.

What is the ultimate message the speaker wants to convey to viewers?

Entrepreneurs who consistently show up and persist in their work will eventually be rewarded, and viewers are encouraged to commit, practice, and 'ship' their projects.