Six years ago I had an idea. I thought it was simple. I set out to build it.
In my head, it would go like this:
Simple idea –> traction –> add a bit more complexity –> traction –> add a bit more complexity –> etc.
Eventually, this simple idea would be a massive mothership.
In reality, it went like this:
Simple idea –> little traction –> make it simpler –> little traction –> make it simpler –> bit of traction –> make it simpler –> almost meaningful traction –> make it simpler –> traction –> etc.
Eventually, the idea might be simple enough to be massive.
At every step, I thought I’d stripped to the bone. Made every non-core compromise. At every step, the big discovery and the big challenge was figuring out I hadn’t simplified enough.
The simpler a big idea or product, the harder it is to build.
I’m still trying to simplify every day.
