When should I give up?
0 sales. 10 hours spend on building. 10 hours on promoting. 100 different experiments.
This happened to me for multiple projects. Nevertheless, I proceeded. But things still didn't go anywhere. And I gave up. I sometimes wished I could have given up earlier.
When should you give up on something you're working on?
I think you're looking at it the wrong way.
First, it's hard for anyone else to tell you when it's time to give up. They need to have a deep understanding of what you're building, for who, and how you're going about it.
When a project runs into a roadblock, you have three options: iterate, pivot, or give up.
Here's a framework that I use to make the decision:
I iterate further when: I know my problem is well-validated (via customer interviews, waitlist, etc) and I believe there's an issue with the execution. Maybe the pitch/messaging is wrong, the product is not the right solution for the problem, etc.
I pivot when: I see clear signs that I'm unable to solve the problem or monetize after multiple (~25) iterations. Again, loads of customer interviews and data to back this up.
I give up when: I fail to find traction after multiple iterations and pivots. Then there is something fundamentally wrong with the solution or the market or the product.
As you can see, giving up is the last option after going through massive iterations and a few pivots. This entire process can easily take months (minimum).
I think you're spending too little time on this. If you've just worked on one iteration, you're far from scratching the surface of what you're solving for.
100 experiments in 10 hours do not sound right. I'd suggest optimizing for quality over quantity. Don't burn yourself out, a few strong bets >>> 100 weak bets.
If you've validated your problem and you can back it up with customer interviews or landing page hits, maybe it's just an execution problem.
Do a root-cause analysis, take another crack at it, and repeat. All the best!
I have no idea, but 20 hours doesn't seem like a long time to me.
Maybe your problem is that you're already a quitter? You quit on 100 different experiments? And you're worried about 20 hours?
Hi Molly - what does giving up mean to you? I often joke knowing when to give up in life has been my super power - sunk cost can be a real killer. Having said that, I spend a lot of time reflecting on what didn't work and what I'd do differently next time, ideally getting feedback from external sources too. As long as you keep learning, I don't think it's a waste. That reflection often leads to new ideas.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
What is your idea?