A Simple Reason Improvement isn't Always Good

It seems to me that by constantly improving, we are distracting ourselves from doing the actual work.

I'm not talking about actual improvements, I'm talking about tinkering.

Tinkering is when, instead of focusing on our big task, we turn our attention toward some minute detail and try to fix that.

These are unplanned improvements.

Tinkering could be as simple as changing the settings on an app or a full-fledged rehaul of a system because you had an idea to implement that "just couldn't wait".

Such behavior is wasteful and doesn't get us to where we should be going. We should just do the thing and our brain will do the rest.

According to Hebb's Rule, our brains automatically develop neural pathways when doing something, so by tinkering too often you are stunting your progress because you're changing the playing field too often. Just let your neuroplasticity do it's thing.

If you're having trouble with constant improvement that distracts you from your impactful work, then you might benefit from review cycles.

Review cycles are times set aside for reviewing our systems. Things like notes, task lists, and project timelines.

Take some time to jot down a tinker idea and get back to it later in your review cycle.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk.