I’m really good at following directions. Give me a recipe, or building plans, or even just a good hard look at something along with it’s dimensions and I can probably build it (within my skill set, naturally).
But designing something from scratch is hard. Going from a rough sketch to actual measurements and assembly methods feels like those stage acts where the performer balances spinning plates on poles. In a windstorm. There is a lot to keep straight, and a small error can translate into big problems later on.
Iteration is the key. Most likely, you will scrap attempt after attempt. You might even have to rethink the entire thing. Iteration is also hard. As problems arise, you come up with ideas to solve them. Sometimes, as you face problem after problem, you hit a wall. An idea wall. The ideas just refuse to come up any more.
Designing stuff is relaxing
Okay, it’s not relaxing in the sense that it’s something you do to wind down. But when you hit the idea wall, the best thing to do is set the project aside and stop worrying about it. At some point, when you least expect it, you’ll break through the idea wall. More correctly, the idea will break through the wall at you. I’ve had it happen when waking up from dreams. I’ve had it happen when solving some completely unrelated problem. It’s funny how the mind automatically puts pieces together when you’re not really telling it to do anything.
I’ve got a couple of projects on the back burner right now, waiting for an idea to break through. That’s the other hard part. The patience.