# Why software product builders should distinguish a stalled project from a dead end

DevFeed: [Why software product builders should distinguish a stalled project from a dead end](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/staying-64415.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://joncphillips.com/staying/>)

Author: Jon C. Phillips

Published: 2026-10-03T12:00:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Jon C. Phillips](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jon-c-phillips.md>)

Topics: [Shopify](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/shopify.md>), [Boilerplate](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/boilerplate.md>)

Tags: [articles](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/articles.md>), [audience-building](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/audience-building.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/design.md>), [digital-products](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/digital-products.md>), [music](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/music.md>), [photography](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/photography.md>), [product-engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/product-engineering.md>), [side-projects](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/side-projects.md>), [staying](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/staying.md>), [web-development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/web-development.md>)

## AI overview

The author argues that builders often mistake boredom and flat growth for evidence that a software project has failed. They recommend judging whether users continue returning, renewing, or relying on the product, and setting a future review date to make shutdown decisions from evidence rather than daily frustration. Sustainable work pace and continued maintenance can help builders persist through a slow middle period.

## Source excerpt

Everyone's obsessed with starting. Nobody wants to talk about the boring middle part where most projects quietly die and take your confidence with them.