Issue #4: Action produces information

Hey there. February is almost on its way out and we have a lot of things to share in this issue. Gathering information is crucial, taking action can be a powerful source of knowledge. User stories help translate user needs into concrete features. However, the ever-changing nature of the world means we can't predict every outcome. The legend of Nessie shows us how people have always loved mysteries and stories. 

Let’s dive in.

Today in a nutshell:

• Action produces information

• How to design and build a web app - Lesson #3: Ideation - User Stories

• Things change fast and it is impossible to predict everything

• Myth and mystery in Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, UK

— Sofia

TODAY’S INSIGHT

Action produces information. Just keep going.

Think about how often you are in two minds about making an important decision or starting a project. 

I certainly have, very often.

I engage in endless conversations with myself about the pros and cons of each one of them. 

Until I find an argument convincing enough to make me decide, I am stuck in the land of analysis paralysis. Which problem to solve? What framework to use? Should it be a web app or a mobile app? 

When I finally pick one, I am unsure what steps to take in which direction because I want everything to be perfect from the beginning. Right problem. Right framework. Right device.

This way of thinking does not lead anywhere, though. 

It's like spinning in circles, expending mental energy without making progress. 

The quest for perfection can become a barrier to action, making us indecisive and preventing us from moving forward.

One day, I came across this by Paul Graham:

What this taught me was:

Lesson 1: Get over analysis paralysis

Sometimes, overthinking and planning can delay progress. Even an action you think is random can help break that cycle and get the creative juices flowing.

Lesson 2: Action leads to feedback

By doing something, even if it's imperfect, you collect real-world data on what works and what doesn't. This feedback loop is important for learning and iterating.

Lesson 3: Experiments can lead to unexpected discoveries

Trying new things can bring to light hidden opportunities, passions, and areas of expertise you didn't know existed.

However, there is a danger that:

Action is so random that it is wasteful: Not all actions are equally valuable. Without direction, you may spend time and resources on ventures with little potential.

Focus and clarity are lost: Chasing too many different things can spread you too thin and make it harder to succeed.

Does not apply to everyone: Different situations and personalities benefit more from calculated planning and focused action than random experimentation.

How I would go about things now

Instead of "doing anything" without giving it much thought, here is what I would do instead:

1. Start with self-reflection: Understand your skills, interests, and values. What problems are you passionate about solving? What unique value can you offer?

2. Explore and research: Look at existing businesses and trends in the area you are interested in. What challenges do they face? Are there potential gaps you can fill?

3. Develop a framework: Instead of random action, set loose goals and experiment within that framework. In this way, you can learn efficiently and stay focused.

4. Track and analyse: Measure the results of your actions. What's working? What's not? Adapt your strategy based on what you learn.

Takeaway

The key is taking informed action. Take small, calculated risks. Feel free to try something new, even if there are no guarantees it will work. Experimentation is a great way to learn and grow.

The goal is to move forward, not to achieve perfection. Be willing to learn from your mistakes and correct your course as needed.

NO-CODE, NO PROBLEM

Last week, we defined the purpose of the app we are going to build. Now that we know what our app is supposed to do, we can move on to the next ideation step: specific features and functionality.

With our user journeys as a starting point, we will define specific user stories, which we will implement. We will tackle one user journey at a time. Let's begin.

User journey 1: As a creator, I want to be able to create notes so that I can capture ideas

Feature: Note Creation

User Stories:

- As a creator, I want to be able to create new notes with text, images, and videos to capture my ideas in various formats.

- As a creator, I want to be able to add titles to the notes so that I can quickly identify them.

- As a creator, I want to be able to format the text so that I can organise it better. 

A user story is an informal explanation of a software feature written from the end user's perspective. The role of a user story is to articulate how a piece of work will deliver a particular value to the customer. No value, no story. No story, no feature. In other words, it is a no-fluff approach to software development. Every functionality has a purpose so that we do not end up implementing stuff we don't need. We are practising YAGNI (You aren't going to need it).

Now that I mentioned YAGNI, I opened up a can of worms 🐛. YAGNI is a mantra from Extreme Programming. In another section and issue of this newsletter, I will dive into things like Extreme Programming, Agile practices, etc.

Next week, I will continue with some more user stories. Stay tuned.

BITS AND BOBS

As a very analytical person by nature, I have lived much of my life in the "what if" land. What if this thing happens? What if that other thing comes true?

You can relate, too.

My answer to this was: "If this, then...", "If that, then...", "If the third thing, then...", which was mentally exhausting. I entered the same conditional thinking pattern whenever I considered a different scenario.

The quote below by James Clear encapsulates what navigating life's complexities is all about. It's like hitting the nail on the head.

While planning is valuable, it has limitations due to the inherent uncertainty of the future.

Things change fast, and it is impossible to predict everything. Focusing too much on a single plan can make us inflexible and spend unnecessary time and energy preparing for unlikely situations.

If we learn to be okay with not knowing everything, it can actually help us. It helps us bounce back stronger during tough times, sparks new ideas to solve problems, and reduces the pressure of trying to control everything.

How can we get better at handling uncertainty?

Keeping a lifelong learning attitude is one thing we can do. Becoming more and more knowledgeable prepares us for unforeseen situations. Critical thinking helps a lot here, too. Finally, being able to regulate our emotions helps making clear decisions.

CORNER OF THE WORLD

In July 2018, Nick and I, along with our son and my parents, took a trip to visit Scotland, U.K. My dad always wanted to visit Loch Ness. Yes, you guessed correctly. "Nessie", or the monster of Loch Ness, has a reputation that precedes it. Loch Ness, in the Highlands, is a big part of Scottish culture, inspiring many books, songs, and movies.

We were amazed by the beauty of the freshwater lake. The mountains, valleys, and forests around it were stunning. On the shore of the lake, we saw Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's most iconic and picturesque castles. I will write more about it in another newsletter issue, as it deserves its own space.

I could tell why, though, such mystery surrounded the loch and gave birth to the myth of "Nessie". The lake's depth and its murky waters, caused by peat deposits, create a mysterious environment. The vastness and poor visibility add to the legend of Nessie and the possibility of unknown creatures hiding in the depths. Even with all the modern technology, we still need to find proof of Nessie's existence. My dad was devastated. He expected to see evidence of its existence.

The fascination with Nessie shows how people have always loved mysteries and stories. Legends stick around for a long time, influencing culture and making people curious for generations.

Loch Ness and the story of Nessie teach us a lot about being human. They show how myths, culture, curiosity, and resilience help us understand the world around us.

The never-ending search for Nessie reminds us of the importance of curiosity and exploring to learn more about our world.

Keep looking for answers, explore new possibilities, and never lose sight of the importance of curiosity in learning and growth.

That’s all for today and thank you for reading!

If you’ve got a spare minute, we’d love to hear what you thought of this email.

Until next week,

Sofia & Nick