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I think there are two common traps here. First, not every good idea needs to be a "secret that could change the world." The most valuable ideas often aren't glamorous; they're the ones that solve real, boring problems. If everyone only chased the next big thing, we'd never get the crucial, unsexy stuff built. For example, a new ad-tech algorithm might feel exciting, but a simple internal tool that cuts a developer's daily grunt work by an hour can have a far bigger, more tangible impact. There's value in both. Second, the best ideas rarely come from isolated genius. You can get stuck in your own head, convinced you've found something new, only to later realize you missed a crucial piece of context. The real magic happens through constant communication. For instance, I once spent weeks on a technical solution for a problem, only to show it to a product manager who, in two minutes, pointed out a much simpler, non-technical way to solve the same user pain (he just told me to skip it). Talking with people, especially those outside your niche, helps you get a reality check, refine your thoughts, and avoid building something no one actually needs. My best ideas weren't born in a flash of solo inspiration, but in messy, back-and-forth conversations. |