I've taken on a project that's a bit more complex than I'm comfortable with while trying to build my portfolio. Now, I'm really struggling with motivation and I don't know if I should start a smaller project in the meantime. The main issue is that while the project isn't too difficult, I feel lost and overwhelmed since I don't fully understand everything involved. I initially used AI to help brainstorm this project idea, aiming to address my gaps in knowledge. But now, I find myself spending more time trying to recall what I was doing rather than making progress. I've started posting this project on GitHub, and I'm worried that taking a long break will make it look bad on my profile. Should I push through and finish a basic version of this project, or take a pause, work on something smaller, and then return to it later? I just feel really stuck and unsure where to go from here.
5 Answers
It's absolutely normal to doubt yourself in the middle of a project! Why not break it down into manageable parts? Focus on a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that works, and once you have that, you can gradually add more features. Keep in mind the next small goal, and tackle it step by step!
It’s in those moments of confusion that you learn the most! Even if you're feeling like an imposter, push through and finish this project. In the end, the results matter much more than the timeline.
It's totally okay to take a break and revisit the project later! The main goal is to learn from your experience, and if you're feeling frustrated, a quick detour to a smaller project could be really refreshing. Plus, no one is going to scrutinize your GitHub timestamps that much; they mainly care about the final product!
Exactly! It's all about what you learn along the way, not just finishing something instantly.
Don't stress about the time it takes! Completing something, even slowly, is way better than leaving it half-finished. Rely on muscle memory by revisiting concepts multiple times, and don't hesitate to switch gears to something smaller for a boost of confidence before diving back into the larger project.
When you planned your project, did you outline a checklist for your MVP? It can really help to map out your classes and functions beforehand to avoid feeling overwhelmed later on. Planning is key, so reflect on that for future projects.
I think I rushed the planning phase a bit too much this time, so that’s a great point. Thanks!
Yeah, I’m in the process of building my MVP as well! It’s a challenging but rewarding journey.