Ever since I first began learning web application development, I’ve always had the idea of building my own website. There were many times when I started working on it but never got it live. Why? A shift in priorities, loss of focus, or lack of knowledge. The list goes on. I always had a reason—or maybe an excuse—for my unfinished projects.

This time, I decided to approach things differently. Instead of aiming for a fully-featured website from the get-go, I focused on building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that I could complete in a single day. Crazy? Maybe. But the result has been amazing. Here I am, still developing my blog website with the same motivation I had on the first day.

Why It Worked This Time

  1. Something Running in Production
    Having something up and running, even if it's bare-bones, has been key to maintaining my motivation. The lack of features and the "ugliness" of the initial version actually pushes me to improve it. Every time I interact with it, I see areas for growth and improvement.

  2. Learning What Truly Matters
    By using the product myself, I quickly realized that many of the features I worried about in my earlier attempts were unnecessary. For example, one of the first features I desperately needed was the ability to create draft posts—something I hadn’t thought of as critical in previous projects. Focusing on what’s essential became much easier once I had a working product.

  3. Real Feedback
    Perhaps the most important aspect of all: I’ve been able to get feedback. Sharing my progress with colleagues, friends, and family has provided invaluable insights. The key difference this time is that they’re able to see something concrete—something that exists beyond just an idea. Their feedback has helped me shape the direction of the project.

Conclusion

For me, defining an MVP has been crucial in maintaining my motivation and keeping the project moving forward. It helps me stay focused on what matters most and gives me the momentum to continue building and improving.

As I continue developing the website, this approach allows me to complete small but meaningful milestones, even as I encounter interruptions or distractions.

For you, the solution might be different, but I’d encourage you to clearly define what you’re trying to achieve and figure out the smallest, simplest way to get there. By doing so, you can complete something meaningful before interruptions or distractions set in.