Is Overpreparation Procrastination?
It’s in our nature as human beings to always want to be perfect, we want to get it right the first time. Let’s take a look at John, John wants to learn to play chess. He buys 2 books on how to play chess, he finishes reading the books, still not feeling confident, maybe I need a course he says, it will definitely be more in-depth. He buys 2 courses, still not feeling confident reads more articles, and watches people play. Notices how John has not for once played a game.
Sometimes we do everything related to a skill than actually doing it, failing to realize we will never feel ready, so yes in my opinion overpreparation is procrastination, because you always feel you need another resource, and sometimes I believe it’s cause we are too scared to fail. The feeling of failure sucks no doubt but believe it or not it’s one of the greatest ways to learn.
Now Let’s look at Jane she also wants to learn to play chess, Jane learns the rules of chess and plays a game, she gets beaten but she takes it as an avenue to get better, she gets a book on chess and reads it, and tries again, well let's say she still gets beaten, but this she analysis the game, asks what areas she can improve on, she keeps getting materials, learning and improving. Now between Jane and John who do you think will get better after a while?
Failing hits harder when you have spent a lot of time preparing rather than also doing, you tell yourself I read these 5 books, I took 3 courses, and read a lot of articles, and yet I still didn’t do well.
Learn as you go, make mistakes, and then seek resources to make you better, but make sure you are doing the two. Having knowledge is different from applying knowledge, I can know something but if I don’t apply it, it’s as good as me not knowing it.
In conclusion, don’t be so afraid of failing that you never start, get the basic knowledge and do something with it, and then go get more. Get resources, apply them, and then get more resources. It often gets easier as you forge ahead.
Maybe failing is not the enemy after all, but maybe it’s the refusal to try again that is.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
KEEP WINNING.
