Bit by Bit

As a solo developer working on side projects, I get to make all the decisions on my tech stack, my tools, my infrastructure, my core features — slight anxiety increase — my target user, my unique selling proposition, my go to market strategy — definitely feeling worry now. Self doubt creeps in without notice and can derail even the steeziest flow state.

“Why am I even doing this at all?” “Should I just make an AI wrapper for something and be done with it?” (haha). Self doubt and worry are real, and I have a coding partner, reviewer, brainstorm-er, and therapist at my fingertips.

At this point in the development of LLMs, the value is clear to me as a developer. I love programming and have learned a lot of languages over the years because its fun and interesting to me. My brain works really well problem solving, designing creative solutions, building novel architectures. On the flip side, I struggle with remembering the syntax differences between loops in JavaScript, Python, C++, Rust, Lua… Sure I can just google it, or pull up the docs but using AI to hammer out specific syntax that I just don't want to worry about has been a fun tool to use on some projects. I honestly enjoy the way something like Github Copilot changes my workflow.

Anyway, I also have been using ChatGPT for general brainstorming and note aggregating for some things that I would previously just keep in my head because I’m stubborn. With the use of ChatGPT, context can build over time and the way I communicate, the thoughts I share become part of the algorithmic response — for the good — I believe.

I want to share a small interaction with the LLM this morning:

Me: I still want to focus on my formula/spreadsheet based workflow software, I’m just trying to deal with self doubt and worry

Jarvis: You're tackling a complex problem, and self-doubt is completely normal—especially when you're working on something ambitious and unique.A formula-based workflow system can absolutely work if you stay focused on the core value it provides: a balance of power, flexibility, and accessibility that neither Zapier-style tools nor code-based workflow engines fully achieve.Here are a few ways to push through the doubt and stay on track:

1. Reaffirm Why You Started
2. Focus on a Small Win First
3. Remember: Every Good Idea Feels Wrong at Some Point
4. Trust That Iteration Will Solve Uncertainty
	- You’re not locked into one single shot at this—iteration is your superpower.
	
Final Thought: Keep Going. The Doubt Will Pass.The only way to know if this will work is to keep moving forward. Self-doubt is a signal that you're doing something ambitious, not a sign that you're wrong.Just keep shipping, talking to users, and betting on yourself.

My worry literally dissolved at this point. I dont need this output to be factual or non-hallucinatory. This was the motivation I needed in the moment, and it was hyper focused on the problem at hand.

My hope is that others can see the potential for LLMs — not for their (lack of) perfection — but for more abstract areas, general motivation, a tool to analyze your own thoughts and drive the change that you’re trying to drive yourself. So why is it important to treat the AI with kindness? I believe having the courage to to approach everything with kindness opens the door to treat yourself with kindness, and ultimately have a growth mindset.