A question I frequently hear from fellow developers is: “How do I develop a tool that has concrete use in daily life, one that solves a specific problem or saves time, even if it seems trivial?”
This question is fantastic because it reveals how eager our community is to create meaningful solutions that help real people. But with so many potential problems to solve, where should you start?
The Secret: Look Within
In this world, problems affect everyone. Every single person has their own challenges they’re experiencing and dealing with—your friends, family, peers, and yes, especially yourself.
And that’s actually wonderful news for developers. Why? Because our job is essentially to solve problems and get paid for it.
The Value Equation
Here’s a simple formula I’ve found useful:
Value = Problem + Working Solution
This is how our tools increase their value—by effectively addressing actual problems people face.
Why Solving Your Own Problems Works Best
So how do we create tools with genuine value in people’s daily lives? The answer is surprisingly simple:
Look within yourself and ask:
“What’s a pain in my ass right now?”
And start from there. 🙂
The Benefits of Self-Centered Problem Solving
Solving your own problems comes with significant advantages:
You are the audience: You instinctively know how valuable the solution is because you experience the problem firsthand
Immediate feedback loop: You don’t need to wait for external validation—you’ll know immediately if your solution works
No research needed: You don’t have to spend time understanding someone else’s problem
Passion: You’ll be more motivated to create something that genuinely helps you
From Personal Annoyance to Valuable Tool
Think about some of the most successful tools and apps we use today. Many started because someone was frustrated with an existing process and built something better:
- Developers created Git because they needed better version control
- Notion began because its founders wanted a better way to organize their own information
- Countless productivity apps exist because their creators wanted to manage their own time better
Getting Started
- Document your frustrations: Keep a log of things that annoy you throughout your day
- Evaluate solutions: For each problem, consider if technology could make it better
- Start small: Build a minimal version that solves just the core issue
- Iterate: Use your solution and improve it based on your own experience
- Share: Once it works for you, others with similar problems will probably find it valuable too
Conclusion
So, my fellow developers, I say to you: SOLVE YOUR OWN PROBLEMS.
Not only is it the fastest path to creating something useful, but it’s also the most authentic way to build tools that have genuine value in daily life. The best solutions often come from scratching your own itch.
What problem are you going to solve for yourself today?