I need to build in public

I have created so many applications, tools, scripts, platforms etc. in my life - but only a very few of them have ever been published. Let me give a few examples:

• A tool to store personal medical screening data
• A platform to host application backend in cloud - basically my own PaaS platform
• A blogging platform
• A blogging platform with social media analytics integration
• A cloud hosted ETL tool (much before it became commonplace)
• A platform to train candidates for upcoming interviews
• etc.

None of the above has ever seen the light of the day. But why?

My Github repository is a graveyard of unfinished ideas.

If I were to ask anyone for the probable causes of so many unfinished projects, I suspect people will theorize one of the following options:

• Failed Fast - you understood that the idea does not work and so you quit.
• Complex Technology - you realised in the midway that the project was not so simple
• Too Big - not realistic for a single person team
• No demand - the demand for the tool / technology disappeared before you could ship
• etc.

What if I say that none of these were my reasons? Most of my projects were technically fully complete and were abondoned in a full working condition in a much advanced stage. I quit on them near the finish line.

And my reasons were different.

Why did I not ship?

I did a lot of soul searching to find the answer of this seemingly puzzling question. And - after 20+ years of my coding experience - I think today I know the answer. In fact, there are two reasons and they happen one after other.

I chase perfection 

Perfection is the enemy of completion. I chase perfection and consequently, I can never complete my projects. I guess I am just too scared to put something up in front of people in the fear of getting judged. So, I run after the perfect product, even though that last mile takes way too much effort and time.

Ideas hit me faster than I can implement them

And before I can make my project "perfect" and release it to the world, a newer idea will hit me - and completely sweep me off from the current one. My problem is not lack of interest. My problem is too many interests and lack of commitment.

And this keeps happening in a loop... 

My Solution - build in public

When you build in public, you open your door and willingly let strangers in. They see your art, your idea, your skill and your fear right from the get go. You willingly remove the alibi of perfectionism. And you implicitly make a commitment to your audience to ship. You do not fear your audience, instead you let them become your biggest supporter. 

And that's why I think I need to build in public.