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Stop Asking, Start Doing

Patrick God on September 20, 2017

You have lots and lots of ideas and wonder what would happen if you would start implementing them into your life? It’s not only about software deve...
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Ross Bates • • Edited

Try not to give a damn about what people say about your ideas or your work. You have to test them yourself, look at the results and draw the right conclusions. All too often we stop or do not even start with projects, because “the others” say that it is not worthwhile or stupid.
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So please keep on creating and implementing your ideas. And most importantly: be consistent. Only if you stick to your plan and don’t give up after the first weeks or even months, you will know if you’re on the right track.

So true. It's also one of the most difficult parts of pursuing any project or idea. You have to ignore distractions & naysayers while simultaneously looking for the critical feedback you need to let you know if you're on the right track. Programmers rely on certainty & clarity, and that's really hard to get sometimes in the advice of others.

I agree with your advice to stop thinking & start doing. That really is the key to getting over the hump. Taking action is the only way you're going to figure any of this out.

Over time, I've learned that lack of action can cause even more anxiety than just getting started. Why? Because all the time spent visualizing every potential outcome and feeling those reactions doesn't move the needle. Nothing happened, you're still just sitting there.

Good stuff Patrick! Thanks for sharing with us.

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Patrick God •

That is exactly what this article was about. Instead of thinking and asking if I should post it, I just did. And it seems to fit the opinions of some people. Thank you very much for your comment, Ross. That's great additional advice. :)

I definitely agree with you. Worst part is, that nothing happens because of all the visualizing and that this situation indeed does cause anxiety or even stress. As Elon Musk put it, not the action causes stress, the absence of action does.

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Andrei Navumau •

I agree with you, Patrick. I try to follow these rules:

  1. I've got an idea - excellent.
  2. I'd like to think about it, to talk about it, to ask about it - not bad.
  3. I spent decent time on asking/thinking/talking - good.
  4. Now, and this is important, stop asking, start implementing.
  5. Finish it and see the result.
  6. If it feels like you can't start or will not finish it - so don't waste your time, through this idea away.
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Patrick God •

Hey Andrei,

Thanks, looks like a good checklist.
I think the magic lies in step 3. Try not to spent too much time in asking/thinking/talking but rather start implementing earlier. In my own experience I stopped there too often because I couldn't get out of the "thinking and talking about an idea"-trap. ;)

Take care,
Patrick