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How do you stay motivated

r/indiehackers
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the challenges of staying motivated while building a SaaS product, especially when comparing oneself to others who share success stories online. The author is working on a small project and feels demotivated by the fast-paced growth of other indie hackers. Many commenters emphasize the importance of focusing on personal progress, avoiding social media comparisons, and building a product that solves real problems. Some suggest using feedback tools, setting small goals, and prioritizing discipline over motivation. A few also mention the need to differentiate their product from AI-based alternatives and to focus on long-term growth rather than quick wins.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion among commenters is that the comparison trap is harmful and that true progress often goes unshared. Most agree that focusing on personal growth, small milestones, and discipline is more effective than chasing external validation. There are some conflicting views on the role of marketing and visibility: some believe that building a product should be enough, while others argue that good marketing is essential for success. Additionally, there is debate around the value of AI tools and how to differentiate a product from them. Some users also express frustration with the lack of real, honest stories and the prevalence of exaggerated success claims.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
ScrapeStudiohttps://www.scrapestudio.co/UI Code Generation ToolBrowser extension that extracts HTML/CSS from live websites and converts them into React components. Allows users to select elements on a webpage and generate UI code instantly. Includes features like asset downloads, font inspection, color picker, bookmarks, and improved UI component library.

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Feeling demotivated due to comparison with others' success stories
  • Struggling with slow progress on a passion project
  • Difficulty in maintaining focus and avoiding the 'shiny object syndrome'
  • Uncertainty about whether the product solves a real problem for a wide audience
  • Concerns about competition from AI tools like GPT and Gemini

Problems to Solve:

  • How to stay motivated while building a SaaS product without immediate financial returns
  • How to avoid burnout from constant comparisons
  • How to validate a product idea and ensure it has market fit
  • How to effectively market a product without relying on hype or exaggerated claims
  • How to differentiate a product from AI-based alternatives

Potential Solutions:

  • Focusing on small, achievable milestones to track personal progress
  • Avoiding social media and success stories that drain motivation
  • Building a community and gathering feedback through platforms like FeedbackKit.app
  • Refining the product based on user feedback and iterating quickly
  • Emphasizing the value of discipline and consistency over short-term motivation

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Focusing on building a product that solves a real problem, even if it takes time
  • Prioritizing user feedback and iterating based on actual needs
  • Creating a unique value proposition that differentiates the product from AI-based solutions
  • Using a minimalist approach to development and avoiding unnecessary feature bloat

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging word-of-mouth and community engagement instead of aggressive marketing
  • Sharing real stories and progress rather than just promoting success metrics
  • Building a following by demonstrating value through consistent improvements and transparency

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering a free tier to attract users and build a base before introducing paid features
  • Balancing product development with user feedback to improve product-market fit
  • Highlighting the importance of a strong MVP to validate the idea early

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging users to provide feedback and participate in the product's evolution
  • Creating a sense of community through open communication and transparency
  • Using platforms like FeedbackKit.app to gather insights and keep users engaged