Start Rather Than Overthink

There's a saying that "mountains and rivers change in 10 years." But having lived through 10 years, the surrounding environment doesn't change as easily as you'd think. Some things remain the same even after 10 years.

Recently, I had drinks with a junior colleague and we had this conversation. They wanted to get more opportunities at work, be recognized, and grow. But they didn't know how, so I asked:
"What problem are you currently thinking about? Or have you stepped up to solve anything yourself?"
The junior thought for a moment and said:
"There are many things I want to try. But the company doesn't give me work that lets me think about these things. I'm always doing the same work, and I'm so busy with just that that I don't have opportunities to do what I want."

Did the junior realize while speaking? That waiting for work to be given or for the environment to change is like waiting for an apple to fall under an apple tree.

There's a phrase I often quote on this topic: "In work, which comes first—the chicken or the egg?"

The chicken first: "If I'm given that role, responsibility, authority, and mission, I'm confident I can do it."
The egg first: "If I prove what attitude and mindset I work with daily and what kind of person I am, someday I'll receive the work I want, the bigger opportunities."

There's no right answer, but the world has more often been egg first. There were occasional chicken-first situations, but looking at those cases alone, the person was never a chicken to begin with—they were a phoenix.

So in general terms, if I want my work or role to change, if I want to grow, if I want more opportunities, I have to prove myself.

Time is 24 hours for everyone. How efficiently you use and manage that time can either prove yourself or let yourself stagnate.

I dare say this is the difference in action between someone who reads this and thinks "oh, I see" and moves on, versus someone who picks up at least one action item to do starting tomorrow.

Gems Shine When Cut

Taking action means exposing yourself. Exposing yourself means there's a possibility of being struck by arrows or polished by weathering. Your form changes. Your shape changes. Changing is painful.

But gems are valued not as rough stones but when they're cut and polished. People are the same.

There are people who roll themselves around and polish themselves. People who raise their hands for new projects, volunteer to learn unfamiliar technologies, and don't shy away from challenges that might fail. These people have mastered the art of cutting themselves.

On the other hand, some people don't yet know how to roll themselves. In that case, they shouldn't fear the hands of others or the wind and rain. They need to accept feedback, push themselves into uncomfortable situations, and learn through mistakes.

The most unfortunate case is not being able to roll yourself while also fearing the hands of others and the wind and rain. Then the rough stone remains a rough stone forever.

The Safe Zone Called Overthinking

In some ways, overthinking too much might come from a desire not to lose even a little bit—whether it's time, money, or emotion. Under the belief that you're very prudent and wise.

I was the same. When learning new technology, changing departments, or changing jobs, I overthought endlessly. I listed pros and cons, trying to find the best choice. But looking back, the time spent overthinking itself was the biggest loss.

I mistook the time spent constantly worrying as a moment. But the amount of stress accumulated from this repetitive pattern was quite significant. Plus, I lost opportunities for unintended fun experiences. In some sense, that was the real loss.

The world doesn't wait. While I'm overthinking, the world moves forward. Now I think the definition of the "thinking" stage needs to change. Thinking should be a day at most; execution should be right now.

You Only Know By Starting

It's not knowing something and then starting, but having to start to know—I feel this repeatedly throughout life.

I decided to become a developer in my mid-20s. I didn't know if it suited me, if I could do well, if I could do it my whole life. I just thought, since I majored in computer science, this must be right, and started. About 10 years later, I realized "Ah, I like the process of making things," and so I tried woodworking and now brew coffee every day. I think I could continue those routines because I enjoy the process of making. Then one day I became a tech leader, enjoying the process of building together with developers, and 20 years later, I'm grateful I can continue this work.

What if I had just worried in my 20s, "I'm not sure if being a developer suits me"? The current me probably wouldn't exist.

Try anything, even something small, and if you don't get tired of it, keep going. If you keep at it, you'll have the fascinating experience of getting closer to the real you that even you didn't know.

Learning Starts from Discomfort

Sometimes I think about what my role is. Creating a comfortable environment for team members? Of course, psychological safety is important. But from a growth perspective, it's a bit different.

The premise of learning something, of acquiring something, is that the environment needs to be uncomfortable. Learning occurs in situations where you have to do something but can't.

I thought back to my early days as a developer, which now feels like ancient history. When my mentor said "Do this by Friday" and gave me an assignment, I was overwhelmed at first. I didn't know how. But I had to do it. So I searched, dug through code, asked seniors, and somehow got it done. I learned the most during that process. Though it became a problem that it solidified into my way of solving problems.

Learning doesn't happen in a comfortable state. You just repeat what you already know. Sometimes giving discomfort—presenting appropriate challenges—is the biggest help.

Of course, the balance between challenge and frustration is important. In my case, if it was too difficult, I would complete it but not succeed, and the burden from the rough process and failure broke my body. But I dare to suggest that appropriately uncomfortable situations can be catalysts for growth.

Courage Is Starting Even When Not Perfect

Someone having grown doesn't necessarily mean they succeeded. It just means they faced their fear and experienced the process and the end.

Having grown, whether big or small, starts from the courage of stepping forward even knowing it's dark and you can't see. I think this has much greater meaning than any success someone might speak of.

Looking back, my today originated from countless failures. My first project missed its deadline, my first leadership role was hard due to conflicts with team members, my first job change wasn't as satisfying as I'd thought. But if I had been buried in those failures, today's me wouldn't exist.

I'm here now because I acknowledged, endured, and accepted failure. And what I learned in that process made who I am today.

I hope you have the courage to trudge forward despite reasons not to. The time we have to act after realizing something has always already passed, or if it exists, it's too short. So you have to go now, without delay, to where your heart leads.

If you repeat this process, rather than regretting results and failures, you start praising yourself for the courage of that moment when you could go. I think the next decision will find a version of me that's a bit wiser, making choices that aren't too late and therefore quite right.

In Closing

How about filling your daily life with at least one thing you make time for because you like it, not things you do when you have time? What's scary is scary, and taking a step is taking a step.

Living this long, I've come to understand. You don't change as you age—you become more yourself. So these days I'm a bit nervous because the road ahead is both far and near. Maybe I'm excited. Anyway, you have to try to know.

Having someone to push you from behind and getting to do things is a blessing. But if there's no such person? You have to push yourself. Reduce the time spent overthinking and muster the courage to start.

Is there something you really want to look at closely? How many things? What have you started to look at them?

Beauty doesn't exist for anyone—it's the privilege of those who discover it. To discover, you have to move; to move, you have to start.

Just start. A day is enough for thinking. The rest is execution. No one knows where that small start will take you. But one thing is certain: if you don't start, nothing happens.

I support and cheer for all your choices, attempts, successes, and failures. I hope you have a day with the courage to start rather than overthink.