Ask Orbit · by Chloe Davis · 2026-09-25
How do you get better at stories without burning out?
This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. questions got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.
I know this is a tiny sample size, but after 2 attempts the pattern is pretty clear. When I keep the setup simple, I actually follow through.
64 sparks · 19 comments
Comments
Mateo Ramírez · 35 likes
Yes, but I would approach it in a small, testable way rather than trying to solve everything at once. The trap is trying to optimize before you have feedback.
- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.
That should give you a solid first pass.
Valeria López · 6 likes
That sounds great until you add children/pets/deadlines.
Quiet Mango · 5 likes
@lanternPixel63 This comment has main-character footnote energy.
Tola Ibrahim · 2 likes
I needed the reminder to start smaller.
Pixel Noodle · 1 likes
Totally agree, especially for beginners.
Ethan Brooks · 1 likes
Good clarification — I read it differently at first.
Yasmine El Amrani · 26 likes
I would ask what outcome you want in two weeks, not in some ideal future. That makes the choice much clearer. This would have saved me a lot of trial and error.
Elsa Andersson · 3 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. My friend tried it in São Paulo and had the opposite result.
Daniel Kiptoo · 3 likes
That last line is excellent. I would test it for 8 days before deciding.
Kabir Khan · 3 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. I noticed the same thing in Madrid.
Liam Eriksson · 3 likes
My practical advice is to make the next step tiny enough that you can do it today. Momentum usually answers half the question. I would test it for 8 days before deciding.
Miguel Santos · 2 likes
This is useful for some cases, but terrible advice if the stakes are high. I would love to see a follow-up after 6 weeks.
Elif Yılmaz · 2 likes
Amazing how much difference one small change can make. I would love to see a follow-up after 10 weeks.
Noé Petit · 1 likes
Yes, but I would approach it in a small, testable way rather than trying to solve everything at once. If two options look equal, choose the one that is easier to reverse.
- Start small and make the next step obvious.
- Keep notes so you can compare what worked.
- Ask someone with recent experience, not just strong opinions.
That should give you a solid first pass.
Budi Santoso · 0 likes
The middle path is probably best: try it cheaply, keep notes and decide after you have real evidence. The Istanbul example makes it feel concrete.