Enthusiasm for what you’re creating
15 March, 2025
Enthusiasm for what you’re creating
Written by Shaun Jenkins
That first burst of enthusiasm you get when a new idea hits you – I don’t think you can ever really get that exact feeling back later on. There’s something about the discovery part, the newness of it, that’s naturally exciting. But then comes the work, day after day, sometimes for years on the same thing, and that’s a different feeling altogether.
Because of this, I think it’s really important to try and capture your thoughts right when you’re in that initial buzz. Write them down, record them, whatever works. Those early, excited thoughts are what you can use to shape how you talk about what you’re creating, to yourself and to other people.
Why does this matter so much? Well, if you’re making something new, a lot of people will naturally be a bit sceptical. New things are unfamiliar. You need something to cut through that doubt, and your own genuine enthusiasm, your drive and passion from when the idea was fresh, is often the best tool you have.
But it’s not just for other people. Fast forward six months, maybe longer. You’re deep in the project, trying to solve problems you didn’t even know existed when you started. You might be tired, fed up, and seriously tempted to just give up and work on something easier. In those moments, you’ll need a pick-me-up. You’ll need to tap into some of that original excitement just to get yourself through the tough bits. That’s before you even think about trying to convince the rest of the world that your ‘crazy idea’ might actually have a chance.
So, the story you tell, the one that gets other people interested and maybe even excited about what you’re doing, can’t just be an afterthought, something you tack on at the end. It has to grow alongside the actual work of creating the thing. It needs to be fed by those honest, early moments of clarity and excitement, because that’s what will keep both you and the idea going when things get hard.
– Shaun
I've been building tech for over 11 years. Made ONFORM and Campaign Pro as owner of Going Bold. Lead the team behind the FAW ecosystem. Work at Hopp Studio - helping to grow a digital agency.