The Myth of the Perfect First Project
Many beginners stall out because their "first project" feels too big, too polished, or too professional to finish. The truth: your first project is not a portfolio piece. It is a learning sandbox.
Why perfection stops progress
Assume you building a clone of your favorite app. Halfway in, you hit a wall; too many features, too many unknowns. The unfinished project collects dust and motivation fades.
Start ridiculously small
Pick something you can complete in a week:
- A to-do list that saves to a file
- A random joke generator
- A personal portfolio page with three links
Ship early, iterate later
Completing anything teaches more than dreaming of everything. Once it works, polish it step by step:
- Make it run
- Make it usable
- Make it look nice
The hidden benefit
Finishing projects builds confidence. Each small win makes the next step easier. Instead of chasing "perfect," chase "done."
Key reminder: The perfect project is the one you actually complete.