Mind Craft

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I was just reflecting on some of my behavior patterns and habits. I've noticed this before, but I re-acknowledged that I seem to have an affinity for the planning phase of a project more than the project or results. I like to get crafty and experimental with anything I do, so I often have multiple projects I'm thinking about before I've even wrapped up current projects.

I've always been quiet, observant, analytical. I might be a little OCD considering the amount of thought I put into.. everything. I get the impression some people budget less time, or 'wing it' most of the time. Meanwhile I can't seem to do anything until I've done it in my mind and the predicted results satisfy me. Which apparently makes it hard to romance women or do more unpredictable things. Could be why I'm drawn to STEM, where there's a system to measure and predict happenings.

I really enjoy researching information too. There's many times I've wanted to do something, and could have gotten it done with 80% less research time. But it's as if I procrastinate actually doing stuff, because sitting at the computer researching and imagining it is somehow more rewarding. I've been a stoner for the last decade; maybe I wouldn't have the same patience or disregard for the passage of time if I was sober.

Which made me curious how much do other people think about what they do? Do other people have pet projects that only exist in their mind? Growing as you reiterate their imagining?

 

[Nydex]

I resonate with this heavily. Often times, especially in my work as a software engineer, I derive much more enjoyment out of the planning and architecture phase where I can see the whole project take shape in my head and work as a flawlessly-oiled machine. But then as soon as it gets to the actual step-by-step implementation of its components, the resulting narrowing of the scope is not as engaging to me.

Another thing I put an enormous amount of research and planning into is traveling. I usually never go anywhere without having an extensive step-by-step plan with places I'm going to visit, things I'm going to do, and, of course, food I'm going to eat

The same applies for buying anything that's more expensive than 50 EUR, like camping gear, electronics, etc. I always spend days, weeks, sometimes even months if it's something more expensive, reading dozens of reviews from multiple sources, cross-referencing opinions, and creating a sort of graph in my mind that weighs the pros and cons of each of the alternatives I have for my choice.

I guess to a certain extent this excessive planning has prevented me from making actual progress on many things, including the sci-fi novel I've been working on for quite a while. It's still in the outline phase where I'm coming up with the overall story and the background and oddities of each character, but I still haven't started actually writing the story, so I guess I know how you feel.

Putting as much effort in thinking before you act can be both a blessing and a curse, because while it provides a rigid structure to follow, it can also rob you of spontaneity, where many people seem to derive a large amount of joy from.

I wouldn't say we're "broken", in that sense, just different. Take care

 

[TheGreenPhantom]

I'm like this when it comes to writing. I have an idea... and then I let it percolate until =boom= a torrent of creativity gushes out.

And then I'm dry again.

Then the cycle repeats....

 

[northape]

I'm a guy who buys a phone case or charger before buying a phone. Right now, I have a pretty clear picture of how to grow mushrooms, and I even bought most of the gear I'd need. Yet, I'm still over-planning and fantasizing about how perfect it'll be. My intuition tells me that people like us should practice spontaneity

 

[rkba]

Analysis paralysis. One is so consumed by the analysis of a project that it is paralyzing the project itself.

I suffer from it as well. But am always working on a proper balance.

I have found that, for me, sometimes you just have to force the initiation to get the ball rolling. Activation energy.

I have learned to see that if the ball does not roll from A to B but to, for instance, an unforseen D. To not see that as a failure (negative), but as a learning experience (positive).

It is the experience that counts. There are no failures, there is no spoon. Go with the flow.

One may never reach B, and that's okay. The process itself is the experience.

I've also learned that most of the times organic creation (adapting, without analysis, to the ball as it is rolling) will get you somewhere that is actually more satisfying than B. Although you'll never really know because you never got to B.

Sometimes I just begin something and, without any planning/analysis, it morphs itself into a project. These have been the most fun, no expectations, no planning, just an organic experience.

Your heart Does, your mind Thinks. Balance them together into an Experience and Flux with Joy!

 

[rkba]

practice spontaneity

 

[rkba]

Maybe that's why I'm currently obsessed with working with steel.

It's hard, it's rigid, it's cold, and it's sharp. But, with the some 'care', it can become soft, malleable, hot, and pleasant to the touch.

It can and will burn you, it can and will cut you. Just apply the proper respect and you can reshape it into a structure that fits you best.

Just like your own Being.