GOLDILOCKS WAS WRONG
Thursday Oct. 4, 2018
Many would advocate we need things/processes which fit some Goldilocks principle – needs to be something in the middle, not too hard, not too soft – just right.
Just right amount of planning, process and execution. Makes so much sense if that product is a thing or service but how can this fit creative realms of writing and publishing - poppycock!
We are lulled into this notion that starting anything new, something fresh that we throw out to the world takes some considerable degree of effort, planning and process to actually do it – or, better said, to do it well and with a chance of success. We want Goldilocks to be happy. We want it just right. Just perfectly middle of the road, predictive of success and without bumps.
Why? Everybody has different reasons. Whatever those reasons there is a need to, as Nike claims: Just Do It.
If you read the work of business gurus, writing gurus, any kind of guru actually – they will advise that if we start with little planning, little effort, we are likely to create little which lasts, has value or has any chance of gaining traction in whatever it is we are trying to do.
Too much planning, overthinking and elaborate execution is highly prone to disappointing results too – because we took too long, it cost too much or we missed the mark completely.
I started something recently. ‘Think about it time’ was lengthy, but actual ‘do it time’ was brief and execution was relatively easy. Results, are best described as ‘early days, too soon to tell’ familiar clichés – but it fits right in my belly and brain.
