Don't know about others, but I don't generally have a specific moment that marks the start of a new project.
Projects typically grow from an idea that forms over time. It starts with spotting a need or an annoyance, then thinking if a product could solve it, then looking at competition, then considering how to position and market it, then how to make money of it, and lastly - a crucial moment - if it is worth an effort.
You know how they say that "ideas are dime a dozen"? I find that it is simply not true. Ideas that is well thought through are rare and they are worth a lot.
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tl;dr - the first thing is to develop and validate the idea.
Projects typically grow from an idea that forms over time. It starts with spotting a need or an annoyance, then thinking if a product could solve it, then looking at competition, then considering how to position and market it, then how to make money of it, and lastly - a crucial moment - if it is worth an effort.
You know how they say that "ideas are dime a dozen"? I find that it is simply not true. Ideas that is well thought through are rare and they are worth a lot.
--
tl;dr - the first thing is to develop and validate the idea.