Stuck on Software

So many options – how to choose?

I’m kind of a sucker for bells and whistles. I don’t need *all* the tools, but as I work on consolidating my side projects into one site to host them all, I just think about all the tools I *might* need next quarter or next year. As a result, I have previously signed up for trials of many different programs over the years.

One of the problems with this is that I haven’t learned any of the programs well enough to simplify my business. When trying out a new program, I will start using it for the particular feature I needed at the time, then fall back on more comfortable tools and cobble them together for the project. For example, I may find myself piecing together a calendar from one program with automated workflows from another, using a spreadsheet for my task checklist, and creating invoices manually in yet another space.

How do I stop this madness?

As I mentioned last week–and this may become a recurring theme–I can definitely get stuck in research mode when starting a new project. After reading up on the sites I already use, and some newer ones that also show promise, I listened to my gut (and my growing project list) and decided that I am going to dive fully into one of the programs, learning it inside out over the next quarter.

Over the next few evenings, I’ll review where I have the greatest need for focus, and then run through the sites to see which has the best fit. Once decided, I’ll dive in and continue building the framework. Luckily, all of the quality programs have great tutorials–I’ll just have to use a timer to be sure I don’t get stuck in the research rabbit hole this time.

Thanks for reading. Cheers to being decisive!