The indie roller coaster, explained

Big wins tend to be accompanied by some combination of bigger decisions, more uncertainty, and greater risk. If you want to play at a higher level, you need to be comfortable with greater swings of highs and lows: mentally, emotionally, financially. You can avoid the swings, but you might be forced to play at a lower level. – James Clear

James Clear just unlocked an epiphany why we indie hackers go through a roller coaster journey of extreme highs and lows.

Because we’re trying to play at a higher level and win big.

Okay, higher level big doesn’t mean billion dollar unicorn status big. That’s a narrow view. Just leaving a familiar 9-5 comfort zone is a big thing. Trying to build a sustainable business earning internet dollars off strangers is a big win. Having to do scary uncomfortable things—like marketing or coding—that you were never trained to do in a specialist role back in your job, is a big win for professional growth. Having the courage to even take the leap, is a big leap for self growth. Building in public, sharing raw struggles and opening up yourself to potential backlash, trollers, haters, naysayers, takes much balls.

All those things are hard. Higher level of hard. Therefore, by James Clear’s insight, we’ll all be subject to greater swings of highs and lows.

The roller coaster ride as an indie hacker isn’t happenstance. It’s necessary. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

Finally, we know.

No point trying to avoid the highs and lows. No need to spend effort in preventing it, because we can’t. Instead, learn to get comfortable with it, flow with it.