Is learning just procrastination in disguise?
I’m sure you’ve caught yourself saying, “I just need to learn about (insert fancy new workshop title here) and I’ll finally be able to do ______.
The blank in that statement is usually something BIG.
It’s usually a next step towards your biggest goal or even the big goal itself.
It can be to write a book, launch a new program, rent space to start your practice, profile your jewelry at a trunk show or finally speak at a local event.
The next step needed, in some cases, might simply be the next step.
It can be to finally draw up the outline of your book, write up your signature talk or contact a commercial real estate agent. These first steps are often as scary as the big goal itself because once you know that initial step has been taken you have committed to the bigger goal.
But then you think: Just one more class!
If I take one more class or program, I’ll be ready.
I’m guilty of it. Trust me.
I know when a huge box of books arrives from Amazon or I’ve purchased some random online class, I’m close to doing something big. And, I’m subconsciously freaking out.
Just one more class.
So what’s happening here?
It’s procrastination disguised as learning.
But what is really going on is more insidious.
Resistance is being super clever.
Resistance has many faces and for many aspiring women business owners, it can be disguised as wanting to be well-read on a topic or fully prepared to undertake something.
As Steve Pressfield notes in his book The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.”
Boy, does it!
Know You Won’t Ever Feel Totally Ready
Honestly, you won’t ever be fully ready. Doing something outside your comfort zone is scary no matter how ‘prepared’ or armed with information you are. Embrace the scariness and begin anyway.
The more information you try to gain to bolster your self-confidence or to make you feel more competent is only delaying the magic that happens when you actually DO something.
Do something even if it’s not perfect.
“You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.”
– Unknown
Stop the “Should of’s”
Maybe you’ve been told that you need to learn how to properly launch a program, or you need to learn the ins and outs of Facebook ads, or you need to learn one specific coaching technique in order to successful.
All these ‘shoulds’ – these often well-meaning suggestions and distractions – are driving you further away from the real work at hand and keeping you from moving forward.
“We are so scared of being judged that we look for every excuse to procrastinate.” – Erica Jong
Action Creates Clarity
When I realized this some years ago it was a huge AHA moment. We cannot just sit around and think (or learn) our way to perfect clarity. We have to try things out. We have to put our ideas into motion and act on the things we’ve learned. That is how we discover our path. It’s the difference between the “book smart” and the “street smart” folks.
“The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action.” – Alexandre Graham Bell
Watch for the Traps
If all of a sudden you find yourself down the rabbit hole of someone’s launch series wildly taking notes on something they you hadn’t really planned to learn but the expert has sold you as a must-have for success – step away. Quickly.
Yes it may be helpful but right now it’s only a distraction.
“Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they started.” – David Allen
So stop the learning madness… And get to work on DOING your business
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