Too much research can kill you? Productivity-wise

I find that starting with the end in mind first works pretty well.

If I focus on what I want as an outcome, and work backward from that (even if I don't exactly know all the steps) I find that I can keep myself on track more easily by just asking myself if this new idea that showed up is going to help me get to my original goal.

Well don't let the doubts overcome you, just allot a time for research and then just implement your ideas. Don't be afraid of the results. That's my way of work.

Thanks for the advice guys... It is all sensible and makes me think I should know better, I am not new to any of this and I should know better ... but in my own fashion I am still continuing on this path and trying to figure out how to produce content along the way.

• I know having the end in mind is good - but often that is led by constant discovery and you often follow new goals in the process.
• Also that the key is constant and maximum output (in many forms) - makes me think that you should be recording, noting and producing stuff along the way. If I never worry about quality that might work at providing a goldmine of audio, video and articles as I go.
• But it has to be done without burdening yourself enough to distract you from the end in mind.

I know - I overthink everything... but I was kind of practising what I was preaching then :rolleyes:

yeah prioritise, with a certain amount of time for research , no , more, I love research, in a way its surfing and easy to get lost in it, check out the pomodoro system, its free to download

I agree with the other posters. This is one of those topics I feel strongly about. Once, I spent too much time collecting information and gathering data instead of being productive and taking action. The bills piled up and I fell behind. I finally took some form of action, even still not having all the "right" information.


I teach seminars on internet marketing in my area. One problem I see among inspiring internet marketers and veterans alike is paralysis by analysis. They make a good faith effort to learn, but get so overwhelmed, they feel they haven't learned anything. This leads to a vicious cycle of gathering more information, feeling overwhelmed, gathering more information, overwhelmed (ad nauseum).


I also lecture that information gathering may be a subtle yet insidious combination of the fear of failure and the fear of success. It may be a subconscious way of self-sabotage.


There's something about our human brains that processes information better in bits and pieces. For example, instead of just focusing on losing 100 lbs, focus on the first 5, then the next 5, then the next.



It's been said many times over, but having an accountability partner to keep you on track can help.



Hope this helps.

Overthinking is a productivity killer. I experience the exact same problem. I end up reading for hours and thinking through a plan. Once I started really just doing more, I started to notice more success.

Just put down the plan and go at it for a days straight. Just produce. Whatever comes out comes out. Get it in front of people, you never know what people are going to like until you give it to them. Your plan means nothing because you are going to change it once you realize what IS working.

Thank you for the excellent replies but Oh! the irony of spending the last week of studying this very problem...

My two previous tweets have been...

"I've spent ages and ages, thinking deeply and examining completely all aspects of 'paralysis from analysis'..."

Today I have developed a cure for perfectionism! But before I can tell you what it is, I must make sure it is ideal for everyone!

It reminds me of a webinar I saw with Leon Jay. One of the keys to success he sighted was 'A Clear Path. Stray From It And You Will Get Lost.'

Hearing that and thinking about it was a pretty pivotal moment for me. I used to drown myself in information and nothing moved. I have since learned to cut off all contact and focus. It is easy to just 'learn' to feel productive, when not doing anything.

When I took on too much information it distorted my clear path and I would indeed get lost.

Cut off all contact from unnecessary sources. Get off everyone's mailing list unless you really need to be on it (likely there is only 1 or 2 of these if that). Them marketing to you is going to play with your head and you'll just waste time hemming and hawing about if you should be buying this product.

Pick a project and focus on it relentlessly. To use a suggestion from the four hour work week: Before taking in any piece of information ask yourself, 'Is this both immediate and important?' If the answer is not yes to both then do not take that information in.

I suggest reading the book the four hour work week several times and making a free account on simple·ology - The Simple Science of Getting What You Want (index-video)

I've battled with this and many other obstacles so I can feel where you are coming from for sure. If you have any other questions on it in greater detail you can PM me and I'll be glad to make suggestions. Don't feel offended if there is a delay in my response, though. I'm not on every day.

Love it! This is the bane of most "creative" types who love the "thinkertoys" of new ideas and resources.

Fortunately, my dad always drilled into my head that nothing kills profits more than spending 2 hours on a 1 hour project. So, for me, I have to LIVE by timers. When I'm working on a job, I always budget how much time I'm going to spend on each function, research, writing, etc... Then I set a timer and do the very best I can do in that period of time.

You'll find that additional research and project time may, in fact, increase the quality of the outcome. But, from my experience, the gain is never in direct proportion to the additional time spent. The key is to focus on the 20% that gets you the 80% yield.

If you want to learn to quickly and easily estimate and track your project/research time, I suggest you check out free information online about the Pomodoro Method. For this ADD/ADHD entrepreneur, it's been a lifesaver!

Hope this helps!

all the best,
Thom

information constipation, i know it well

be sure to perform some income producing activity everyday.

I think that people that are prone to learning are prone to going off with research into too many directions and losing focus. I love to learn and I used to go to the library and come out with 20+ books from many different subjects.

But there are people who have the strength of goal setting and I think they are less prone to researching things that don't concern them.

Learning is a strength but I think you can try to learn too much sometimes.

I agree. Too much research will kill you and make you give up before you start. Get a mentor at least you will be walking a directional path to your success.