Getting Started with BB: Focus on What, Not How

The Challenge of Thinking in Objectives

Most of us are trained to think in tasks and implementations. It's natural - our education and work experiences often focus on "how" we do things rather than "what" we want to achieve. As one BB user observed:

"Most people think in tasks; it's harder to step back and think about outcomes."

This tendency often comes from tying our self-worth to our abilities - we want to prove we can handle the technical details. But what if we could focus purely on objectives and let BB handle the implementation details?

Starting Your First Conversation

Let's look at how this works in practice. Here's how we started planning these blog posts:

The Traditional Approach:

1. Decide on blog post topics
2. Research writing techniques
3. Create content outlines
4. Write draft content
5. Edit and revise

The BB Approach:

1. State the objective: "I want to add some real blog posts"
2. Provide context: "Please read these files..."
3. Let BB ask clarifying questions
4. Collaborate on planning
5. Document decisions for future reference

Notice how the second approach focuses on what we want to achieve rather than how we'll achieve it.

The Power of Documentation-Driven Conversations

One of the key strategies for success with BB is using documentation to drive conversations. Here's how it works:

1. Initial Conversation

   • State your objective
   • Provide context
   • Let BB ask questions
   • Make decisions

2. Document the Outcomes

   • BB creates structured documentation
   • Captures decisions and rationale
   • Plans next steps

3. Follow-up Conversations

   • Use documentation as starting point
   • Build on previous decisions
   • Maintain context and momentum

Real Example: Creating These Blog Posts

Let's see how this worked for creating these posts:

1. Initial Planning Conversation

   • Objective: Create engaging blog content
   • Context: Shared brand guidelines and ideas
   • BB asked about priorities and examples
   • Created structured plan

2. Documentation Creation

   • BB documented the plan
   • Included post outlines
   • Listed real-world examples
   • Planned follow-up posts

3. Follow-up Execution

   • Used documentation to guide writing
   • Maintained consistent messaging
   • Built on established examples

Writing Effective Objectives

The key to success with BB is learning to write effective objectives. Here are some examples:

Less Effective:

"I want to use Swift to create a phone app"

• Focuses on implementation
• Limits possible solutions
• Gets stuck in technical details

More Effective:

"I want an app to help auties"

• Focuses on outcome
• Opens possibilities
• Leads to meaningful discussion

Best Practices for BB Conversations

1. Start with Context

   • Share relevant documentation
   • Explain background
   • Provide examples

2. Let BB Guide You

   • Answer clarifying questions
   • Consider suggestions
   • Explore options

3. Document Everything

   • Let BB create structured documentation
   • Use it for future conversations
   • Build on previous work

4. Focus on Outcomes

   • Think about what you want to achieve
   • Stay open to different approaches
   • Let BB handle implementation details

Common Patterns for Success

1. The Context Pattern

   You: Here are the relevant files...
   BB: Let me review those and ask questions...
   You: [Provide answers]
   BB: Based on this, here's a structured plan...
   

2. The Documentation Pattern

   BB: Let me document our discussion...
   [Creates structured markdown]
   You: [Use this in next conversation]
   BB: Building on our previous documentation...
   

3. The Refinement Pattern

   You: Here's my objective...
   BB: Let me ask some clarifying questions...
   You: [Provide clarity]
   BB: Now I understand better, let's explore options...
   

Your First Conversation

Ready to start? Here's your template:

1. State Your Objective

   • What do you want to achieve?
   • Why is it important?
   • Who is it for?

2. Provide Context

   • Share relevant files
   • Explain background
   • Give examples

3. Engage in Dialogue

   • Answer BB's questions
   • Consider suggestions
   • Explore options

4. Document and Iterate

   • Let BB create documentation
   • Use it for follow-up conversations
   • Build on your progress

Remember: Focus on what you want to achieve, not how you think it should be done. Let BB guide you through the process of discovering the best approach to reach your objectives.

Next Steps

Think about an objective you want to achieve. Instead of planning how to do it, try starting a conversation with BB about what you want to accomplish. You might be surprised at the possibilities that open up when you focus on objectives rather than implementation.