X-DreamersWHAT YOU WILL PRACTICE
Describe one recurring problem using a real person, a specific moment and an existing workaround.
Collect friction before features
Notice a task that costs someone time, money, risk or effort. Look for repeated workarounds: spreadsheets, manual checks, awkward handoffs or paying someone to do a tedious job. An interesting technology is not yet a reason for a customer to change.
Separate observation from interpretation
“Three owners export invoices every Friday” is an observation. “They want my dashboard” is an interpretation. Write down what happened, how often it happens and what it costs. Keep guesses visibly separate until you can test them.
Choose a reachable starting point
Begin with people whose work you can understand and whom you can reasonably talk to. A narrow group with an urgent problem is a more useful starting point than an enormous market you cannot access.
IN PRACTICE · ORIGINAL EXAMPLE
A freelance bookkeeper manually checks the same invoice fields every Friday. She spends 40 minutes on it and rechecks mistakes before sending a report. The opportunity to investigate is reliable weekly checking; an AI accounting platform is only one possible solution.
Do not treat your own frustration, a trend, or enthusiastic comments as proof of paying demand.