That Moment You See Someone Else Launch the Thing You Are Building

Man, I just used someone else really cool version of a feature I am building in Eurotripr.com and I am gutted. I'm not saying somebody took my idea and built the same thing. I'm saying it was an inevitable fact that this feature would eventually be built and I wasn't fast enough to finish my own version to get it out first.

That stings.

And this person's tool is really pretty cool and probably better than the version I am working on, so that stings even more.

Will this stop me from building my version? No. But am I going to walk a way for a few hours and contemplate my life failures and why I can't find a way to finish Eurotripr.com? Yes. Absolutely yes. Sometimes the situation calls for a moment of self reflection and a mini pity party so I can come back with a clear head and renewed focus.

To anyone else out there that is concerned with competitors - real or imaginary - or crestfallen if they see someone else beat them to market with their idea: Don't let it keep you down. Yes it will probably bring you down, but let that feeling of despair be temporary and be a motivating force to bring you back with renewed focus and energy.

For now I'm going to take a few hours of self reflection and pity. Then I'm going to spend a little bit planning what to focus on for a faster completion. Finally I'm going to come back to the keyboard with a renewed sense of both urgency and drive to get MY feature done and public.

Keep moving forward no matter who gets to the finish line before you. There is room in the market for multiple versions of the same tool. Don't let competitors and look-alikes deter you - for more than a few hours.