My suggestion, as someone whose been building a SaaS on the side, is that you should have started building after hours and on weekends.

You think it will take 8 weeks but this might not be true. I thought I’d have my software ready in 3 months. I used a Gantt chart and really checked my schedule. I accounted for holidays, sickness, and vacation plus days where I couldn’t get time in due to unforeseen circumstances.

I am 20 months into developing my SaaS right now. I told myself last month that this month I’d be ready. I’d start making phone calls, I’d network, and get everything ready. I began business formation about a month ago, got a business line, and have begun making a business bank account.

I projected that to be done 2 weeks ago. It’s Friday and my account is still not open. In fact I just received an email stating that they need another document. 

Why am I telling you all of this? You are going to have disruption after disruption. You are going to have delay after delay. If there’s anything that I’ve learned, my estimates are wrong and shit only gets done when it is crossed off my list.

Best thing you can do is actively keep a list of things you need to do and keep it simple. I don’t use Trello or other apps. I keep a physical notepad and review it daily. At the beginning of the week I write down my goals. At the end of the week I review what I did and plan for the next week. I also use my daily commute to do system design and brainstorm.

I find it particularly useful to listen to books geared towards entrepreneurs too. You need to get yourself in the zone. My favorite one that I have read 2-3 times is the book my Jocko about ownership and accountability. I can’t get enough of it. 

One of my favorite chapters is the one where he talks about looking around and making a call. If you don’t know who he was he was in the military and responsible for tactical decisions that could cost people their lives. One of his mindsets was that you had to make a decision and move. Makes sense when you are in a life or death situation.

He thinks this same mindset can be applied in business and I do too. One of the things you need to get used to is checking your surroundings and making a call. Even if it’s a bad call, do it. 

You can only learn through action and having this mindset will prevent you from paralysis analysis. I think it’s important as a business owner but also as an engineer. I think it’s especially important as an engineer because this profession attracts bright individuals. It’s a fact. 

However, being bright comes with its consequences. It can be hard to make a decision because we are too good at thinking and want to have all of the information present and available before we make a decision. 

Sometimes you just have to accept that you will need to endure a little bit of ambiguity and that you’ll figure out your next challenge. I have found this to be incredibly useful as I push myself into areas that are outside of my immediate understanding.