Staying fast and competitive is how you go broke. Speed means nothing if the work is wrong. That slight curve cost you a whole day's profit, that's proof. Rushing through basics just sets you up for a bigger mess later. A few minutes with the string line saves hours of tear down.

You're overthinking "how do you even start." Just go outside and talk to people. Hang at the coffee shop or park and listen to conversations. Check the physical board at your library for flyers about local issues. Join a neighborhood Facebook group and see what problems everyone complains about. It's constant small talk and observation, not a big study.

My own dream board had "learn fluent Spanish" in big letters. I took classes for a year, but life got busy and I never got past basics. It stings a little when I hear someone speak it smoothly.

Totally get what you mean about the plain lists. Seeing all those fancy spreads online can make you feel like you're doing it wrong, but it's such a trap. I used to waste so much time trying to make mine look cute before I even wrote a single task. Now I keep it bare bones, just like you described. If my to do list gets done, that's the only pretty thing I need to see. The fancy stuff is just for show, but the simple list actually works. You can always add a little flair later if you feel like it, but starting simple is the real key.

I always stuck with just the thermometer, thought the touch thing was just an old timer story. But hearing you say you kept the skill, that actually changed my mind. Might have to try learning the feel too.