Don't go overboard choosing the latest and greatest frameworks, language, tools, etc. You need to be productive, try and stick with what you are productive with. Find a good balance.
If you have a family, in the most kind way you can think of, learn to say no. While you are at home trying hard to work, everyone will think you have lots of free time.
Find a place where you can work quietly when you really need it. Preferably not at home, not at a coffee shop, not anywhere you could be interrupted.
Find a mentor/buddy. Someone who knows more than you do. When some server configuration bullshit gets in your way, when some framework bug stops you, when some Ruby version 1.8.7 patch 154 won't work with Delayed Job (a made up example) you'll need someone with the experience to help you.
Wake up at the same time everyday. Got to sleep at the same time every day. Eat breakfast. Exercise. Throw out your television, don't visit HackerNews or reddit except once a day.
Use a managed hosting service avoid VPS unless you are already a good sys admin.
MOST IMPORTANT: Validate that there is a market for your idea before you build your product.
"Start Small Stay Small" has good advice here. Don't be put off by the title if you want to grow big with VC money etc. It's still a great book. http://www.startupbook.net/
It really helps to have a partner to stay motivated and keep from missing deadlines. Once you are completely on your own it is so easy to get distracted.
Agree about the validation. You can try to sell it before you have much of anything. A screen is all you need to try to sell it to people. Talk to as many people as possible. It is so easy to just sit in a corner and code - that is really dangerous.
I've done something similar, though gave myself many more months. I also pre-paid a number of expected expenses to get them out of the way. I still ran through the cash quicker than I thought I would. Thankfully, I've been doing consulting projects and that extended my run time.
I also gave myself a one month window at the end of the time frame to find a job. So, in your case, I'd only give you one month to work on your startup before needing to go look for a job.
I have enough for a couple of months. Thought on doing some freelance work when the money starts to run out. Any thoughts on doing freelance work while working on a bootstrapped startup?
[+] [-] pepsi_can|15 years ago|reply
If you have a family, in the most kind way you can think of, learn to say no. While you are at home trying hard to work, everyone will think you have lots of free time.
Find a place where you can work quietly when you really need it. Preferably not at home, not at a coffee shop, not anywhere you could be interrupted.
Find a mentor/buddy. Someone who knows more than you do. When some server configuration bullshit gets in your way, when some framework bug stops you, when some Ruby version 1.8.7 patch 154 won't work with Delayed Job (a made up example) you'll need someone with the experience to help you.
Wake up at the same time everyday. Got to sleep at the same time every day. Eat breakfast. Exercise. Throw out your television, don't visit HackerNews or reddit except once a day.
Use a managed hosting service avoid VPS unless you are already a good sys admin.
[+] [-] xnerdr|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ra|15 years ago|reply
"Start Small Stay Small" has good advice here. Don't be put off by the title if you want to grow big with VC money etc. It's still a great book. http://www.startupbook.net/
[+] [-] keefe|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] triviatise|15 years ago|reply
Agree about the validation. You can try to sell it before you have much of anything. A screen is all you need to try to sell it to people. Talk to as many people as possible. It is so easy to just sit in a corner and code - that is really dangerous.
[+] [-] kovar|15 years ago|reply
I also gave myself a one month window at the end of the time frame to find a job. So, in your case, I'd only give you one month to work on your startup before needing to go look for a job.
[+] [-] revorad|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kodeshpa|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mapster|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mgkimsal|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] flexterra|15 years ago|reply