It’s been a few months since my last letter. I’ve many updates to share with you, along with some exciting news.
First, I want to start with a few well wishes.
While much of the world is recovering but many hearts and minds are still in turmoil. It’s not easy to have life upend itself and then suddenly “go back to normal.” Normal’s not the same.
So, I hope you’re taking care of yourself.
I’ve found these words very helpful:
In the end, everything will be okay - and if it’s not okay - then it’s not the end.
It’s okay to feel how you feel. You don’t need me to tell you that. If you want to sit in a room and do fuck-all for a day, go ahead. I’ve done it plenty of times.
Whether you know it or not, everyone’s got some shit going on right now. You may feel alone, but you’re not. And if you’re not sure about it, this is one more reminder that it will be okay. If you need anything, feel free to reach out.
I hope you’re okay.
Now, for the business content I promised when you subscribed.
Let’s get into it.
To make sure we all have the key context, here’s the summary:
If any of the above items are new to you, please read up on them.
Here is one source that packages almost everything I summarized into one document:
I’m going to cover how work has changed and what’s next. It’s the most useful thing I can address. If you have questions, just send me a reply or message me on IG or Twitter.
First, your income:
Second, your job:
Third, your opportunity:
In the technology and software industries, releasing a new feature or update is called “shipping.” We ship new features, new products, and new projects.
Shipping is not just for technology companies anymore.
It’s a huge space that continues to see rapid growth.
That’s where most many of us will find our side-project opportunity. Myself included.
New ideas, tools, products, and business opportunities are everywhere and I struggle to focus. Curiosity always gets the better me. I love to tinker with new ideas and see what I can make of what I find online.
But the more I look at these opportunities, the more I question conventional wisdom. Why is it that we should only focus on one thing at a time? Does spending more time on something make it “better”?
More time doesn’t necessarily make it “better.” Studies have confirmed this. But not all things need as much time as we give them. Why can’t we do many things well? With so many ideas, it’s hard to pick just one.
This begs the question. Is conventional wisdom to focus on one thing exist because it’s best, or is it because people feel like they “need” the time (is focusing on one thing just a cop out)? It feels like a catch-22, and I’m curious to test it.
I’m launching Ship 21 in 2021. A new campaign to combine all my random ideas under one banner and build my first business(es).
21 projects in 2021, on a platform that allows me to track the success/failure of my business ideas.
More importantly, it lets you learn from my successes and failures.
If even one person comes to me and says “Darwin, I saw what you did and it made me want to start a side-project.” I’ll be very happy.
To support my launch, please like, comment, and share my posts on Twitter and Instagram.
Thanks for reading and being part of this with me.
I appreciate you.
Darwin.