Doing the thing is doing the thing (softwaredesign.ing)

Article summary

The article emphasizes the importance of taking action and doing something, rather than getting bogged down in planning, preparation, or talking about it. It highlights that many activities, such as thinking, dreaming, or waiting, are not equivalent to actually doing the thing. The author encourages readers to start doing, even if it's done badly, as it can lead to progress and improvement. This mindset can help overcome procrastination and analysis paralysis.

Main themes

• Taking action
• Procrastination
• Analysis paralysis
• Perfectionism
• Iterative improvement

What commenters say

• Some people find that planning and preparation can be a form of procrastination, and that taking action is more important than perfecting the plan.
• Others argue that planning and preparation are essential, but there is a point of diminishing returns where overplanning becomes counterproductive.
• There is a tension between the desire to create something perfect and the need to ship something imperfect in order to make progress and learn from mistakes.
• Some commenters believe that the pressure to ship quickly can lead to low-quality work, while others think that it's better to release something imperfect and improve it later.
• The idea that 'doing it badly is doing the thing' can be motivating for some, but others see it as a recipe for disaster, especially in a corporate setting where mistakes can have serious consequences.
• There is a debate about the role of trust and communication in teams, with some arguing that lack of trust can lead to problems, while others see it as a natural part of the development process.