In [_Make It Work vs. Make It Good_](https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/), Jim Nielsen writes about the different kinds of work involved in developing and designing something.

> “Does it work?” is a binary question. “Is it good?” is a subjective question.

I struggle with this too. Some days I want to make something and prove that it can work. Other days I see every detail keeping it from looking or feeling good. It is hard to entertain both modes of thinking at the same time.

Making something work requires solving the problem. Making it good requires judgment, taste, patience, and attention to details that are difficult to measure or explain.

Maybe the answer is not expecting myself to do both at once. Make it work, then change modes and give it the care it needs.

Read Jim Nielsen’s full post, [_Make It Work vs. Make It Good_](https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/).

In <a href="https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/">Make It Work vs. Make It Good</a>, Jim Nielsen writes about the different kinds of work involved in developing and designing something.
<blockquote>
“Does it work?” is a binary question. “Is it good?” is a subjective question.
</blockquote>
I struggle with this too. Some days I want to make something and prove that it can work. Other days I see every detail keeping it from looking or feeling good. It is hard to entertain both modes of thinking at the same time.
Making something work requires solving the problem. Making it good requires judgment, taste, patience, and attention to details that are difficult to measure or explain.
Maybe the answer is not expecting myself to do both at once. Make it work, then change modes and give it the care it needs.
Read Jim Nielsen’s full post, <a href="https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/">Make It Work vs. Make It Good</a>.

In [_Make It Work vs. Make It Good_](https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/), Jim Nielsen writes about the different kinds of work involved in developing and designing something.

, Jim Nielsen writes about the different kinds of work involved in developing and designing something.

“Does it work?” is a binary question. “Is it good?” is a subjective question.

I struggle with this too. Some days I want to make something and prove that it can work. Other days I see every detail keeping it from looking or feeling good. It is hard to entertain both modes of thinking at the same time.

Making something work requires solving the problem. Making it good requires judgment, taste, patience, and attention to details that are difficult to measure or explain.

Maybe the answer is not expecting myself to do both at once. Make it work, then change modes and give it the care it needs.

Read Jim Nielsen’s full post, [_Make It Work vs. Make It Good_](https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2026/make-it-work-make-it-good/).

Jim Nielsen distinguishes the binary question of whether something works from the subjective question of whether it is good. I struggle to hold both modes at once, and maybe the answer is to make it work first, then switch modes and give it the care it needs.