We are good at responding to recent memory, immediate reaction, and instant feedback. It tends to create a reactionary force to act as a result of our work of satisfying someone else. Is that the real reason we are doing something? To satisfy someone? Perhaps.
However, in that case, it is best to personify who our work is for more specifically. This way, our audience can be characterized. We understand what such an audience expects. In turn, it helps in refining our work. Often specific people take time to consume what we offer, and there is a time gap between when they consume it and when they see the value of what they got from us. There might be even more lag when they offer feedback. This means there is a significant delay in getting feedback and the changes to our work. We need to build resilience for such a time lag. What we offer may not be what consumers need. They might need something different, and we might learn that much later. The very fact that we heard, they said to keep them with us. Responding to what they say will ensure they remain with us and continue to use our work.
Trends are created through such resilient work. Trends pick up much later than when our effort is in the public domain. So when we are doing important work, patience becomes a vital trait.
Linux operating system was discounted by Solaris and Windows, the then-popular computer operating systems. It gained popularity and acceptance long after it was written. The feedback it received turned it into the Internet's de facto operating system. What if the Linux open-source movement had thought of abandoning the project prematurely? Who would have thought that telephones would have superior alternatives in the form of smartphones? What if creators had lost belief in feedback and abandoned efforts on smartphones and iPads?
The emerging waves are often slow to efface. The creators have to persist. They have to understand there will long feedback loop. Back themselves, and believe their core userbase; however small. And go for it.
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