My initial foray into a particular project didn't go well. Looking back, I realized my lack of genuine interest in the project, or even a clear understanding of its core objectives, was the root cause. My eagerness to contribute to open-source Bitcoin led me to blindly attempt a pull request, driven more by excitement than informed intent. I've since learned the importance of caring about the project, for me at least. It helps to actively engage with it, run it, use it, and generally become familiar with its intricacies. This immersion naturally leads to identifying issues or generating suggestions, enabling more meaningful contributions.

I once received critical feedback on a project: "You are wasting my time; I could have fixed this issue myself by now." While initially disheartening, especially with six years of prior engineering experience, I realized the comment, though harsh, likely held truth. It's crucial not to take such feedback personally.