When Planning Becomes Procrastinating

Perfectionism is often an excuse for procrastination.
Paul Graham

Many of us come up with great ideas or ways to innovate in current circumstances. It takes a confident, resolute mind to follow through and finish on those ideas that we’ve tinkered with.

This time is often well spent as we think through design choices, and know what we want to create before starting. The final version may change over time, but ultimately we have some idea where we want to head in the process.

The challenge is when planning becomes procrastinating.

In planning for upcoming projects, I spend an inordinate amount of time prepping, planning, cleaning, thinking, etc. I try to think it through and make it as perfect as it could possibly be. At the end of the day, I’ve found that I haven’t completed anything.

In these circumstances, there is a feedback loop that occurs and paralyzes us as we get stuck in a cycle of perfectionism becoming paralysis. There is a belief that we need to have all of the right answers, and have the absolutely correct answer to every question.

To break this cycle of paralysis of analysis the answer is to get started. The initial idea is the best. From there, build, iterate, test, and build again. Over time, you will find the model and the correct path to take.

Even still, when push comes to shove and I have to get something done for a deadline, I can crank it out and get it done immediately. I think much of this is that I finally give up on procrastination and just get to work. It’s amazing how much I can get done when I stop trying to overthink, over-plan…and just create.