I’m the first to admit that I’m somewhat trapped in my own thoughts most some of the time. Thinking about the what ifs, the hows, the whens and whatnots. A mentally draining process if you don’t have some workaround to get yourself out of this state of constant preparation.
This is part of the dichotomy I’ve written about in “Think more, do less” and while spending more time thinking is generally a good approach, there’s always the chance of overdoing it. Balance is everything. Think enough. Don’t forget about the act of doing.
Let me think about it
Probably me
Preparation is key
Throughout our life we are told to prepare for everything. The importance of preparation cannot be overstated. In a business context it could even be the deciding factor between a positive outcome and a failed endeavor. You need to understand the market and audiences, anticipate challenges to strategize accordingly. There’s a reason for the well known adage “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. Think deeply about why anyone achieves anything and you will quickly grasp the necessary building blocks for success.
Take even the “simple” act of learning to walk. You crawl and stumble your way through the process, carefully analyze others and coordinate your own motions until you manage to walk yourself. Hoorah! +1 to walking.
Yes, learning and preparing is beneficial if your intent is set on mastering challenges. No one denies the importance and some would even dare to say that there is no thing as being too prepared. I tend to agree.
Yet, issues arise if you are the gatekeeper to the action you’re preparing for. With no deadlines and no one to decide your fate, who’s to blame for never ending preparation? Take a left at the next junction and enter …
That famous road to hell
You know, the one paved with good intentions. Trying your best and just wanting to improve. Showing everyone how good you are. How dare I won’t let you prepare just a little bit more for that.
The pursuit of your perfect plan will lead to some side-effects:
- Procrastination
- Paralysis by analysis
- Wasted resources
- Anxiety
In ancient times natural selection would remove the indecisive from the pool … or maybe only those making the wrong decisions.
In a world void of many dangers and countless safeguards, it is hard not to over analyze almost everything. Excessively collecting knowledge is an investment in yourself. Full with the potential of finally some day paying off. If just the right day or opportunity comes your way.
All that stress just to keep being the one with so much “potential” and while giving yourself an easy cop-out to not actually doing the thing?
Solutions anyone?
Learn to love accept half broken stuff, the MVP you can build upon because at least it already exists somewhat. Get ready for opportunities and directions you never even thought about.
Enjoy breaking stuff. The roads to accomplishments are messy, but you won’t progress in your safe bubble either.
Give yourself deadlines like others would to you. Don’t be unrealistic and expect a turnaround in 2 days like your worst ever client … don’t give yourself 2 years to build the perfect thing either. Start and iterate. There never will be perfection.
Enjoy the journey.