The Simple Way To Explode Your Solo Dev Confidence
The essential mindset shift that transforms idea paralysis into shipped products.
Hey there Solo Dev!
You're doubting yourself again, aren't you?
I get it. I've been there (still am in many ways). Staring at the blank screen, second-guessing every decision. Wondering if your idea is even worth pursuing.
Hell, you might be as far gone as I once was: thinking there’s no point in trying, having already decided that you’d fail.
The truth is that doubt costs you more than you realize.
The confidence trap.
There's this weird trap in solo development (even just in life):
You wait to launch until you feel confident, but real confidence only comes after you've launched something.
This tendency to wait keeps countless developers stuck. But that’s exactly the issue.
Confidence isn't a prerequisite for action. It's the result of taking action repeatedly.
The only way to gain confidence is to put in the reps.
Small wins build big confidence.
The best devs I know didn't start with unshakable confidence.
They simply built a habit of trying.
Consider this approach:
Start building something
Share what you did publicly (maybe here on Substack?)
Collect feedback, learn and gain confidence
Repeat next week with, either with what you learn or what you did next
Each cycle builds both your skills and your confidence simultaneously. The size and complexity of what you build grows naturally with your confidence level.
Seems so simple, right?
So why are we not doing it?
Because we convince ourselves we can’t do it, or someone else can do it better. Well, here at Solo Dev Saturday, we don’t believe that. Of course you can do it, and of course someone else will be able to do it better. That doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity in it for you. Remember:
Most successful products didn't emerge fully-formed.
They started as humble MVPs built by developers who were willing to put something imperfect into the world.
The time is now.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Here's where things get interesting in 2025: AI has fundamentally changed the confidence equation for solo developers.
Remember all those knowledge gaps that used to paralyze you? The unfamiliar frontend framework, the database optimization you weren't sure about, the marketing copy you struggled to write?
AI has become the ultimate confidence multiplier by:
Flattening learning curves: You can now get guidance on technologies you're less familiar with, increasing the speed at which you pick up new tools.
Providing real-time assistance: Get suggestions, optimizations, and alternatives right as you work, boosting your confidence in technical decisions.
Improves your weaknesses: AI helps you tackle the non-core tasks that you used to struggle with.
But the thing is: AI amplifies your skills. It doesn’t replace them.
You're still in charge of the vision, architecture, business strategy and code quality.
You can’t turn your brain off, but you can do so much more than thought possible by a single individual 5 years ago.
The key is to not get stuck.
I try to live by the 20-minute rule.
When I feel stuck, I give it a go for 20 minutes.
I stop if I see absolutely no progress.
I’ll come back later.
I either switch tasks or go do something else.
This approach prevents frustration from killing your confidence. Sometimes you just need a simple walk.
It’s honestly incredible the difference a walk can make. You can be completely overwhelmed, feel like you’ll never solve the problem, and spiral into questioning your ability. Then you go for a walk outside or sleep on it, and the answer reveals itself.
Your time is precious. Sometimes it’s best to just step away.
2025 is the year.
The year I decided to stop being complacent, bet on myself, and chase the dream of being a solo dev.
The year you can choose the same.
The prospects have never been better.
AI unlocks a completely new path: it’s so much easier to work with AI and use your existing knowledge to create bigger applications than previosuly possible.
There’s so many incredible technologies that help you get to where you want to go nowadays.
And I can guarantee you: you’re much more capable than you think.
You just need to get out of your own way.
Your confidence challenge.
This week, I challenge you to:
Identify one project you've been hesitating to start
Break it down into the smallest possible first step
Carry out that step
Share what you did, either here, on your own Substack profile or anywhere else. Just share it somewhere.
Remember: the products you use didn’t start out flawless.
They're the ones built by developers who keep showing up, learning from mistakes, and growing through consistent action.
You don't need to feel confident to start.
You just need to start to feel confident.
See you next Saturday, where we'll explore why you don’t need a big idea as a Solo Dev.
Until then, start small, try things, and join me in building a Solo Dev business one uncertain, but confident step at a time.