When Preparation Delays Starting

Jan 26, 2012 by Stacia Rogan

A theme we come back to on this site over and over again, so much so that you’re probably tired of hearing it but since most of us still aren’t doing it, we’re just going to keep repeating: starting is the hardest part. Today, I’m going to address a recent stall technique that makes perfect sense on the surface but can become a crutch if you aren’t careful.

There are some things we must learn before we can make our dream come true. For example, if your dream is to knit outfits for African babies to wear home from the hospital (babies are being sent home in newspapers for lack of proper clothing – they call them fish and chip babies) and you don’t know how to knit, you’ll have to learn that before you can reach your goal. But what you don’t need to do is learn every knitting technique using every available knitting tool. You only need to learn what you need to learn. If you never start knitting that baby garment because you think you need to keep taking classes or practicing or reading books about knitting, you’re only delaying getting started.

Lately, I’ve been delaying my start. “Oh, if I just take this course” or “after I finish this book” are words I’ve heard out of my mouth far too often regarding my writing. While telling Brigitte about the two new writing courses I’ve signed up for this week, I suddenly saw very clearly that I was using these classes and the countless books on my shelves as reasons not to get started.

Now, I’m a big fan of learning. I believe that once we quit learning, we might as well quit breathing. But do any of these classes or books or websites or blogs or writers’ groups hold some magical solution that will suddenly make me the best writer ever? No, of course not. That’s just silly. They may teach me techniques that will develop certain skills or provide me with ideas. Continuing to learn and grow is a fantastic way to nurture your creativity and I think it’s always time well-spent.

The truth is, I already have the basic skills and information that I need to start. Probably, so do you. Ask yourself these three simple questions:

1. What is your end goal?
2. Working backwards, what do you need to do to make that happen?
3. What  information or skills do you need to learn to start?

I’m looking forward to the two courses I’ve signed up for – one will help me gain profitable skills for my freelancing work. The other should help boost my writing technique across all styles. Neither one is any reason for me not to start working on a draft of a story this afternoon.

Have you ever used learning or preparation to delay starting towards your dreams?

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