There are many people who have a lot of interesting ideas in mind but never get around to starting on their side/pet project. Some people start on their side project but never get to completion. These are the three steps which if followed before you start actual work on your project will help you get your pet project launched.

1. Think things through

– This is the most important step. If you do this well, consider your side project well begun and half done!

– Visualize things after completion will it make you happy? Will it make you feel like you accomplished something? Will it make you feel successful?

– Humans operate with pain-pleasure principle. Will the completion of the project alleviate your pain or others pain? Will it bring some pleasure to the work and lives of others or yourself?

– When the going gets tough with your pet project as it often does, these reasons will help you and give you the strength to complete the project.

2. Set a deadline with detailed plans

– Start by identifying all the steps you need to complete and each stage.

– When can you reasonably finish the project?

– When do you want to launch? When do you want to get your product or service out to the public?

– Make detailed and specific plans, not vague ones.

– Also the most important rule, remember nothing is perfect. You will have to refine after launch and constantly learn from it. Take a look at the first version of Google. Your first launch is the beginning get ready to quickly make changes depending on user feedback.

3. Make commitments

– Tell your friends and your family you are going to launch on the deadline.

– If you had prospective customers enquiring about product, let them know that you are launching the product or service on the launch date.

– Schedule banner ads, ppc ads, book presentations, print leaflets, etc as required to promote your project and get you to focus on the launch.

– Get a mailing list of all people who you know that will be interested in the project.

– The third point in my opinion is the one most often ignored and causes deadlines to slip. If your family & friends know that we are busy working on something they might understand not to bother you until your launch date!

The first point on thinking things through will energize you or show you that this project should never be done. The third point will commit you to the deadline and hopefully clear out distractions as your family and friends are now aware of what you are working on. Only once all the three steps above are complete you should start working on your project and in accordance with your plan.

If you are working on your pet project please do share your experience!