Continuous learning is a form of procrastination... agree or disagree?

So I saw this post by Mark Manson last week "Learning more is a smart person's favorite way to procrastinate", so after I reapplied the edges it snatched I had to reshare it on IG.

What ensued, were 200 comments with various and hilarious statements in agreeance that Mark Manson did not have to call any of us out so loud.

"Continuous learning" as a form of procrastination refers to the phenomenon where individuals engage in a perpetual cycle of learning without taking action on what they've learned, I feel like we've all been there and experienced this to some degree. This can manifest as endlessly reading books, attending seminars, or taking online courses without applying the knowledge or moving towards tangible goals.

Causes of (CLAP) Continuous Learning as Procrastination:

1. Fear of Failure: Diving into a new task or project often brings with it the risk of failure. By continuously learning, one can maintain the illusion of progress without confronting this fear.

2. Perfectionism: Some people feel they need to know everything about a topic before they can take action. This never-ending quest for complete knowledge can prevent them from starting.

3. Fear of Judgment: Taking action often means putting oneself out there, which can be scary if there's a fear of how others will perceive or judge the results.

4. Overwhelm: Sometimes, the sheer amount of information available can be paralyzing. Individuals may feel they need to consume more and more to make an informed decision, leading to inaction.

5. Lack of Self-Confidence: Constantly feeling like you're not ready or not good enough can lead to continuous learning without action.

6. Avoidance of Responsibility: Once you act, you assume responsibility for the outcomes. Continuous learning can be a way to avoid taking on that responsibility.

7. It Feels Good: Learning can be enjoyable and give a false sense of progress. This makes it an easy choice when avoiding tasks that are perceived as difficult or uncomfortable.

I went live on these 8 reasons, and you can watch the video for my explanation of each of the 8 causes and what to do. HERE

Combatting Continuous Learning Procrastination:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve. This provides a target to work towards and helps in determining when you've learned enough to take action.

2. Action-Oriented Learning: Shift your mindset from learning for the sake of learning to learning for the sake of action. For instance, if you're learning about digital marketing, set up a small campaign after a basic module, rather than completing the entire course.

3. Limit Information Intake: Instead of attempting to consume all available content on a topic, pick one or two reputable sources, and stick to them.

4. Timers and Deadlines: Set a timer while learning. Once it goes off, switch to an actionable task. Deadlines can also force you to move from learning to doing.

5. Accountability: Share your goals with someone who can check in on your progress and remind you to take real action.

6. Embrace Imperfection: Understand that no one knows everything. Often, we learn best by doing and making mistakes along the way.

7. Reflect on the Root Cause: Regularly ask yourself why you might be avoiding action. If it's fear, face it. If it's a lack of confidence, take small actions to build it up.

8. Reward Taking Action: Celebrate when you move from learning to doing. This can shift the gratification from just learning to the combined process of learning and implementing.

Remember, while continuous learning is vital for personal and professional growth, it's essential to balance it with action and implementation days, weeks, months or even years. The real value of knowledge is realized when it's applied.