The Rule of Small and Large

When it comes to creative work, personal growth is rarely a straight path. Whether you’re a developer, designer, writer, or artist, the question of what to focus on can feel daunting. Over the years, I’ve developed a personal framework to help me stay on track: The Rule of Small and Large.

The Rule of Small and Large is simple: Every project I take on is either small or large — I avoid medium-sized projects at all costs. Why? Small projects let you learn quickly, experiment freely, and explore new ideas with minimal risk. Large projects, on the other hand, challenge you to go deep, tackle complex problems, and build something truly meaningful. Medium projects often fall into a frustrating trap — they demand too much effort for too little reward.

Small

Small projects allow you to experiment quickly, see results, and learn with minimal effort. They’re perfect for testing ideas in a low-risk environment. For example, if I want to explore how a programming language solves a particular problem, I might build a quick prototype. The simpler the process, the more likely I am to start. If I had to download an IDE, compile the language from scratch, and read lengthy documentation, I’d probably abandon the idea altogether.

The beauty of small projects is that they yield small but cumulative rewards. Each one builds on the last, expanding your skillset and perspective over time. Small projects also thrive on simplicity — lowering the barrier to entry makes it easier to start, which encourages creativity and experimentation. This principle doesn’t just help beginners, even experienced creators benefit from the freedom to explore without overcommitting. By keeping the stakes low, small projects let you test ideas, fail fast, and stay in a constant state of discovery.

As an indie developer, I rely on small projects to stay self-sufficient. Whether I’m testing out a new design trend, experimenting with a marketing framework, or playing around with some unfamiliar code, these low-effort experiments validate ideas and help me grow. Small projects aren’t just about learning — they’re about exploring new territory and fueling the creative process.

Large

Large projects are for those big, ambitious ideas that go far beyond a quick prototype. They start with a vision — a real problem you’re determined to solve. But large projects are rarely straightforward. They demand that you solve countless smaller problems before you even get close to your end goal. It’s this process of breaking down complexity and overcoming challenges that makes large projects so rewarding.

The deeper you go, the more you learn. Solving real problems introduces you to complexities you would never encounter in a small project. Let’s say you’re building the next big app for restaurant bookings. At a minimum, you’ll need to understand how time works. That might sound simple, but time zones aren’t so straightforward. Nor are addresses, prices, or payments. Large projects immerse you in real-world challenges that don't fit neatly in a small project, sharpening your skills and teaching you lessons you wouldn’t gain otherwise.

That’s the magic of large projects: they push you to go deep, master complexity, and create something valuable. If you have a goal, passion, and are willing to push your boundaries, the impact of a large project can be transformative.

Medium

If small projects provide you with breadth and large projects provide you with depth, what do medium-sized projects provide you? A trap.

Medium-sized projects sit in an uncomfortable middle ground. They require more effort than small projects but don’t offer the depth or rewards of large projects. You might learn something, but it’s rarely enough to justify the energy spent. In my experience, medium-sized projects are the ones that most often leave me frustrated — or worse, burned out.

This is why passion and purpose are so important. Large projects demand intrinsic motivation to push through their challenges, and if that motivation isn’t there, it’s often a sign your project isn’t worth scaling up. Medium projects tend to feel aimless — they’re not quite big enough to inspire you, but too involved to finish quickly. When you notice a lack of passion, it’s better to keep a project small, where the stakes are lower and the lessons come faster.

Avoiding medium projects doesn’t mean abandoning ideas altogether — it means being intentional about the scope of your work. If something doesn’t excite you enough to warrant a large commitment, let it stay small. Forcing yourself to choose between small and large helps sharpen your focus and ensures that your energy will be spent where it matters most.

Small and Large

There’s little I love more than starting a new project. Each one feels like a space full of opportunity, a place for my creativity to blossom, and something I can put my heart and soul into. But as exciting as starting can be, I’ve learned that it's important to know upfront where the project is going too.

Small projects let me experiment and explore, offering quick lessons and opening my eyes to new ideas. Large projects challenge me to commit deeply, be intricate, and build something meaningful. Both provide a clear sense of purpose, which is why I’m happy to keep building projects small and large.

The next time you start a project, pause and ask yourself: is this a small project or a large one? If the answer isn’t clear, you might be stepping into the trap of a medium project. By choosing to stay small or go big, you’ll ensure your energy is spent on work that inspires, challenges, and matters to you.