Today is the start of the new me, 12 projects in 12 months!
Let me start off this post by saying: Happy New Year to you all! I hope 2022 will be a successful year for all of you. Today is the start of my 12 projects in 12 months challenge. For many years I’ve started projects but eventually lost interest, was too doubtful or just didn’t think it was worth the time finishing a project, getting the project out there to the real world. It's time to change that.
I’m currently working as a .NET developer and I’ve been doing that full time for the last 11 years. As I still have this full-time job, I will be working on this challenge next to it.
Twelve projects in twelve months, but where do I start? I’ve got several ideas and am sure more ideas will come to mind when working on these projects. For the first project I will be developing my own website. I’ve already purchased the domain name some time ago, but developing the website isn’t an exception to my other previous projects. I have started it from time to time, but never got to a point where I was happy with it.
As a long-time lurker of IndieHackers.com I love the Building in Public movement. Sharing your progress along the way, with all the ups and downs, everyday struggles and (small) milestones is something I enjoy reading from others. So I want to give this a go myself.
Along with this challenge I have set myself some goals for 2022:
- Start and finish 12 projects in 12 months
- Improve my English writing
- Overcome my fear of putting myself out there
- Increase my online presence
- Make money out of it
It’s time to get to work, working on my first project: my own website! If you want to follow my process, feel free to follow me on Twitter.
Any suggestions, tips, criticism is welcome!
Read my full blog post here: https://medium.com/@terryverduijn/today-is-the-start-of-the-new-me-12-projects-in-12-months-7d7c73f77d7f
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Wow thats crazy! Wish you best of luck! If you want to accelerate conversation rates, feel free to try out bannernote.com - my customers seen fantastic results of improving their conversion rate results. :)
Thanks Sharlene!
I will check out your project
And yeah, let me know if you have any feedback for bannernote or if you need integration help! :)
Followed you on Twitter! I hope you will post some updates there! :)
Thanks for the follow! Will be posting updates every day 🙂
Ah and I am on twitter if you want to catch up twitter.com/sharlsz
Best of luck!
I'm also will be launching 1 product/month or maybe more. This simple system to just ship things really eases things out and keeps things pushing. I will be also sharing tips about digital products on social media daily.
Let's goo all!
https://twitter.com/ModestMitkus
Thanks and good luck to you too. I've never ever finished a side project before, so forcing myself to finish a project each month could really help me.
What is your first project?
A bunch of Notion templates then maybe 2 consulting agencies and then maybe a short course. I will see have many ideas, but ill start with Notion templates :d.
Yeah, deadlines really make a difference.
That's quite a plan, cool.
Looking forward to seeing your progress
Thank you <3
Hi Terry, first of all you are starting new year with positive mindset. That's great!
I just want to say all the very best to you. Hope so you will achieve this month's as well as upcoming month's target.
I jsut added you to Indie Hackers List and followed you also. :)
Thank you very much! All the best for you too.
Thanks for adding me.
It's my pleasure!
Good luck and I will follow your updates.
Tony
Thanks, that's awesome!
Good luck Terry!
Thank you!
That's amazing Terry!
Good luck and would love to read updates about your projects and processes :))
Thanks!
Good luck fellow Dutchman, following your journey on Twitter now!
I am also planning to launch a couple of projects this year. Four SaaS projects to be precise. I decided on this number as I would like to be able to not only spend time on building but also on the marketing aspect of every project.
Curious to see how this challenge will develop for you over the next twelve months!
Good luck to you as well Paul! Thanks for following.
I chose to do 12 projects, because not all projects will be SaaS projects, so less marketing is required.
I'm following you on Twitter as well, looking forward to your progress.
Good luck
Thanks!
Back in 2012, I did 25 apps in a year. Basically 2 apps a week. First week to get it to work. Second week to furnish and publish. It was an experience.
Wow, what an achievement! Are any of the 25 apps profitable?
Any suggestions on how to make this challenge a success?
It's an experience for sure. They are not really good apps but one did make over $10k that I wrote in less than 3 hrs. Rest made $0 lol. It's a stupid app too so...
There's a lot of lessons learned having a goal of publish an app every other week. Write good reusable libs/code works well. I was doing really boring (but relatively important corporate work), so this is good break too. Also made me realized I don't want to work in corporate environment anymore
Cool! Even though it didn't make you a ton of money, I think the experience you gained and lessons you learned are more valuable than money.
I'm curious where this challenge leads me, but I'm sure I will learn a lot from it
Good luck in 2022! ;)
Thank you!
Go Terry 🔥
Thanks! I will do my best
So envious of people having a go at this! If you want to partner up on something let me know!
Thanks! I enjoyed reading from others who done the challenge, so I will give it a go myself now
I'm quietly embarking on this journey as well. For me it's all about building the momentum of creating and shipping. The time constraint also forces to think small and to implement only what's truly essential.
As for the first project, I woundn't start with a personal website, or perhaps create it at all, because nobody really cares. At the end of the day, it's all about the value you've created for others. If you've produced something useful, people will find a way to get to know you. That said, if it forces you out of your comfort zone and helps you to start creating something new, go for it.
Good luck and see you in 3 weeks :p
– Kirill
Hi Kirill,
Thanks for your response.
The reason why I picked my personal website as my first project is because of the reasons you mentioned. It forces me to get out of my comfort zone, actually finishing a project and it also helps me understanding what's most important. I must take on the mindset that good is good enough, it doesn't have to be perfect. So with this project I will be able to just do that.
Next project will be a more user focused project, then the real challenge begins, but I'm looking forward to it.
Sounds really cool! With my startup, we're trying to help people like you validate their ideas fast with help of waitlists. It has low-code features and even a no-code sign-up portal if you don't want to develop a website. Currently still looking for testers who get free lifetime access on their account. If this could help you, you could send me a message on Twitter anytime @BradleyCreation
I love your challenge!! All the best to you. I hope you can manage. For sure you will learn a lot along the way.
Since I'm not really active on Twitter, I will try to follow you here. So pleeeease keep us updated. :-)
Thanks!
I will keep the IndieHackers community updated as well :) (Just not daily)
All the very best!
Thank you!
I've tried something similar (but less ambitious) and I didn't end up making any project in the end.
I'll follow you on IndieHackers to see your progress.
Best of luck and take care!
Thanks for the follow!
What were the reasons you ended up wothout making a projext?
I've written about it here: https://vlad.wtf/6to0/. The long story short is that I didn't have the time and energy for it, nor the proper planning.
I am also doing the same join me
Cool! You've got my follow.
Best of luck.
Hi Terry that sounds very exciting! World of ideas works in seconds and execution takes a bit longer. Also I repeatedly see that clarity comes from experimenting :) If along the way you want a bit of extra support to stay the course, my playground is made to help other people create their own playgrounds :)
Thanks Ida!
I will keep it in mind
Thank youuuuu 🤗 Sounds like a fun year ahead!
Hi Terry, first of all, congratulations on the initiative. I'm also aiming to build a couple of products and bundles for this year. Let's stay in touch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrecontador/
Cool! Good luck to you too
Good luck, Terry! I look forward to hearing more about your journey in the future.
Your written English is excellent, btw! 💪🏻
Thanks Brandon!
I try my best, I spent quite some time on this post and the extensive blog post. By improving my English writing I also want to improve the time it takes to write a blog post. It should become almost natural to write in English.
I decided not to do like everyone else and made myself a challenge to 12 micro startups in 6 months :)
I will also share the results publicly https://twitter.com/al_belogubov
Wow, that's even a bigger challenge! Best of luck!
Following you on Twitter, curious about your progress.
12 projects in 12 months is the new "I'm going to get in shape at the gym and eat right" :)
Do you have a roadmap planned? This has helped me in the past keep my scope down. For example, your website only has 3-4 weeks so you could plan around that and not take 3-4 weeks on a contact form. Speaking from my experience, at least :)
I think there are a few groups out there that have scrums/demos that help make you accountable for your goals. I know I'm my own worst Product Manager, but when a demo is on the line, I typically deliver.
Good luck!
Let's hope it's not the same, because many people failed at getting in shape and eating healthy 😉
I'm currently working out the roadmap, but I can't help myself by already doing some coding. I think it's crucial in order to actually finish a project on time. Without it I will be tempted to stay working on some insignificant features for too long.
Thanks for your suggestions, I will have a look.
All the best Terry!!! Am in the same journey as well improve my online visibility and build consistently
Thank you! Good luck to you as well. What is your approach to achieve your goals?
Go for it!
Thanks! Really motivated by all the comments to keep this going and make the best of it.
I have the same thing in my mind, I am sure you will complete 2022 with 12 products. Congrats!!!
It's so cool to see there are so many like-minded out there.
I actually hope I don't finish the 12 products, but only if one of the products turns out to be a product enough people would want. Then I would spend my time more on building out that product.
Makes more sense, looking forward to it :)
I wish you the best Terry! I find my self very similar to you! Also developing for long years, inspired by same indie makers, and also scared to put myself in public!
Reading your post inspires me as well and push me to follow your steps!
Lets make this 2022 a great year!
That's great to hear! Glad I could inspire you.
I believe there is just one thing to overcome the fear of putting yourself out there and that is to face it head on. That won't be easy, but if you don't try it you'll never overcome the fear.
Good luck to whatever you will be doing in 2022!
Awesome man! and congratulations.
Apparently I also doing this challenge from today. :D I just started my newsletter to document the whole journey. Feel free to check it out and follow me/subscribe. https://twitter.com/kgrsajid/
Feel free to keep me posted and share your experience with me. I can feature you in one of my newsletters if you want. :)
Thanks!
Good luck with the challenge. It's already great to read so many like-minded stories.
Following you on Twitter now, will subscribe to your newsletter later. Will keep in mind your offer to feature me in your newsletter, thank you!
Thanks man!
Yes, check out my newsletter when you are free. and feel free to advise on anything. :)
Great idea, Terry!
I was wondering, do you have a specific plan how to select worthwhile ideas to implement?
Not exactly yet. It will be a learning process all throughout the year. I've already got some ideas, but expect more ideas to come when working on these projects
Yeah, probably. I mean even if you don't have the perfect idea, doing something is a lot better than doing nothing. And like you say, you always encounter some problems that could be solved when creating stuff... ^^
All the best!!
Thanks! Much appreciated
Good luck! I’m also a longtime lurker and looking to put myself out there more this year and build in public. Excited to follow along!
Thanks!
Go for it! I'm scared to death to put myself out there, but it's time to overcome that fear and just start. You don't have anything to lose.
Good luck!
Thanks!
Best of luck! I'm also committing to building in public for 2022.
Thanks Nick! Will be following your journey as well. Best of luck to you too
I bet you quit in a month or two, but anyway good luck!
Thanks, I guess?
Why do you think I will quit in a month or two?
If not, ping me in a year, I'll buy you a beer ^_-
a lot of people burn out doing this
I think I will be able to manage that.
A lot of people also burn out from working for a boss and yet the majority keeps doing so.
Quality > quantity
Hi Isaac, you mean that I shouldn't focus on 12 projects in 12 months, but focus on for example 1 quality product?
If so, then I disagree with your statement because that's not my main focus. For too long I've started projects without actually finishing them. By doing this challenge I force myself to ship something, anything. I strongly believe that will get me going and put me in a flow where I can create better quality products faster and easier.
Eventually, I agree to your statement that quality beats quantity, so eventually I do want to focus on building one or two great products.
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