Define the destination, not the journey

To start a side project you need a goal. This sounds trivial, but isn’t. I know many people that do side projects. When I ask about the goal, most answer: I want to master this tool or that technology. When mastery itself is the goal, the project is likely to end up at a shelf to gather dust. What is mastery? Mastery is not really a goal. You need a goal.

Without a goal, you can’t say whether you are making progress, whether you are closing in on your goal. You need to experience making progress to stay motivated after the thrill of starting something new wears off. Because it will wear off. Fast.

Define your goal: what will you create, when will you consider it successful? Change your goal along the way if you like. Allow yourself to meander a little on your journey, but always have a goal. Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on.