Great post from Evelyn on why doing something lots of times is the best way to learn. I for one spend far too much time trying to picture the perfect result in my head in a lot of my design work before I knuckle down and get my hands dirty. Why? Fear of criticism of course. But I console myself by remembering that 'fine words butter no parsnips'; that each small stumbling step is (hopefully) in the right direction, and that criticism and alternatives always appear after the act.
Paul Graham makes some interesting noises in this direction with regard to getting V1.0 of your software out as soon as possible. Don't faff, just get on with it, or get real as 37 signals so nicely put it. (Note to self: read all Paul's essays again. Lucid, clear and inspiring writing doesn't present itself very often – certainly not in this neck of the woods but thanks David for the vote of confidence you lovely man).
A final thought on 'getting real' paraphrased (from those 37 wizards that bring you the excellent Basecamp application) on producing rather than pondering – a functionality document has no real functionality. Better to start building and testing things as soon as possible rather than mollify for the sake of getting consensus in a project meeting.
Right, better get on and make things (happen?).
