In today’s world, information is abundant.

Whatever you’re trying to learn, the internet provides you with more information than you could ever consume.

On the one hand, this is a blessing. But the abundance of information can also become a curse, leading to what is probably the most dangerous form of procrastination.

In the next 5 minutes, you will learn how to avoid this problem.

Let’s assume you want to start a new endeavor.

Maybe you want to start going to the gym. Maybe you want to start your own business.

Whatever it is, you start by gathering information.

As a beginner, this makes perfect sense. You need a basic understanding of the thing you’re trying to do.

A decent plan will significantly increase your chances of success.

However, learning can be a dangerous trap that most people who start a new project fall into.

It usually goes like this:

You start to explore the topic. You understand the basics and dig deeper and deeper into the subject. At this point, you know what to do to get results.

But you think you need to know more. So you keep studying the theory of your new endeavor.

The more you learn, the more you realize what you don't yet know.

You keep learning without actually applying your knowledge.

You’re trapped in a common phenomenon called “analysis paralysis”.

There is an obvious problem here: only the application of your knowledge will bring you results. If you want to get ahead, you have to take action.

Chances are, you only have a limited amount of time you can allocate to your goal pursuit. So you have to make a tradeoff between learning and doing.

A tradeoff is a decision that places a higher value on one of several competing options.

You have to decide whether you spend your time learning or doing. Or whether you divide the time available between the two options.

But how to decide?

As mentioned before, getting a basic understanding and creating a plan makes sense.

So you start by learning and planning.

At the very beginning, learning has a greater benefit than blindly going for it. It enables you to understand how to progress as efficiently as possible.

However, you can usually learn the theoretical basics very quickly. Once you have a basic understanding, the returns of learning start to diminish drastically.

The more you know, the more beneficial action becomes. As your plan gets better and better, executing yields better and better results.

At one point, it’s time to stop learning and do the thing. In the graph below, the lines cross at this point.

Unfortunately, most people keep learning at this point. I speak from experience.

You go deeper and deeper down the theoretical rabbit hole without using your knowledge.

You feel good about yourself for doing so. You feel productive.

But you barely get any extra benefit from studying at this point. You also waste a lot of time and get no actual results. Also, you will encounter unexpected problems anyway once you do the thing.

You are paralysed by analysis. You are procrastinating.

You fall victim to the sneakiest, and maybe most dangerous form of procrastination.

It’s so sneaky because it gives you the perfect excuse for not having to do the thing:

“I need to learn more first.”

This way you don't have to face your fears and you even feel productive.

But in reality, you sabotage yourself.

After all, there’s only one way to get results: action.

You should take action once you know the basics. As soon as obstacles arise, you can still acquire the necessary specialized knowledge to overcome them.

But I also want to share a rule with you.

In his book “Clear Thinking”, author Shane Parrish shares a great rule for when to stop gathering information and start acting.

The Stop, FLOP, Know principle

Stop gathering information & execute when you either:

• Stop gathering useful information (you know everything you need to know)

• First, lose an opportunity (FLOP)

• Come to know what to do

Thanks for reading!

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