5 Ways Mobile App Developers Turn Fear Into Forward Momentum

February 16, 2016 - 3 minutes read

iPhone app developer

The ability to turn fear into forward momentum for a startup is among one of the most important traits for mobile app developers.

Emotions run high in software development, especially for cash-strapped startups investing everything they’ve got in an innovative iPhone app idea.

How do you keep fear in check while building out an innovative product?

1. Treat competition as inspiration

The startup scene is overflowing with innovative, fast-moving competition. (Just look at Dribbble and Hacker News.) With a negative mindset, you’ll always be able to find iPhone app development companies that seems to have an edge, whether it’s tighter design, stronger content, or simply a more innovative feature idea.

The question is, is it really possible to leverage all that innovation into forward momentum for your startup? Yes, but only if you learn to view competition as inspiration.

If some Toronto iPhone app developer comes out with an app that does the same thing as yours, try to see their company through a user’s eyes. Shedding the inferiority complex allows mobile app developers see what’s missing from a product from the user’s point of view — and pivot their own products to fill those needs.

2. Leave the ego at the door

There’s a reason mobile app developers use metrics for everything: workplace ego. Mobile development attracts uber-smart professionals with strong personalities, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in individual visions for a product rather than deliver what market research demands. (IPhone app development companies use structured agile methodologies like Scrum for this very reason.)

3. Iterate everything, including your habits

Speaking of Scrum, iteration isn’t just the secret to fine-tuned products — it’s the secret to success in general.

Fear of failure quickly turns into inaction without a structured approach to improving workflow, output, and everything else that matters to mobile app development.

4. Manage expectations for your startup

Perhaps the simplest way to manage fear is to simply manage expectations.

There’s nothing wrong with having big dreams (just look at Elon Musk and Tesla), but there’s also a time and place for checking your expectations for a product. Is your mobile app going to be the next Snapchat? Probably not, and expecting it to happen without a healthy dose of work and luck never ends well for aspiring mobile app developers.