Today I shared my WordMaze idea on Reddit, asking for feedback. My finger hovered over the 'post' button longer than it should have.
The responses came back honest and helpful. Not brutal, not crushing — just real. The kind of input that makes you think, “Oh, right. I hadn't considered that angle.” (Or, in one case, “Pants, I’d totally forgotten that was even there!”)
Here's what struck me: the anticipation of feedback is always worse than the feedback itself. We build up these elaborate scenarios where strangers will tear apart our work, when mostly they just want to help make it better.
There's something almost magical about that moment when outside perspective clarifies what you couldn't see from the inside. Fresh eyes spot the obvious gaps, the confusing bits, the parts that only make sense in your head.
The resistance we feel isn't really about the feedback – it's about admitting our work isn't perfect yet. But here's the thing: it's not supposed to be perfect yet. That's rather the point.
Every piece of input, even the uncomfortable bits, moves your idea closer to something that actually works for people who aren't you.
What feedback have you been avoiding asking for?