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Cassidy Williams

Software Engineer in Chicago

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Questions to ask when you think need to finish something

Sep 18, 2025
#advice
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I've written before about how I am sometimes haunted by my own side
projects that I should finish, but I also want to pursue a shiny new
thing instead.

After shipping some projects (like PocketCal and Ductts, among
others), I think I've refined my list of questions that I ask myself
when I want to avoid working on an existing project and pursue
something else instead. And now... I give them to you.

Ask yourself...

  * Does this thing still align with my current goals?
  * Would I start this again if I hadn't already invested time and
    resources into it?
  * Do I still want this, or am I trying to prove to myself that I
    can finish it?
  * What would happen if I let this go?
  * Am I trying to meet my own expectations, or someone else's?
  * What would I actively pursue if I didn't finish this thing?

Anyway, doing a little "mental audit" around projects have helped me
ship better when I realize some projects I pursue aren't actually
worth it to me.

And sometimes, the answers to these questions help me actually finish
a project, because my answer reminds me of why I started it in the
first place!

I hope this helps you!

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