Do-Think or Think-Do

“The world is full of people who will help you manufacture tornados in order to blow out a match.” ― Shaun Hick

I have a confession to make. I "Do-Think."

I just like "doing stuff"..........getting "stuff done" (I might add with purpose).

If it feels right then move forward without having to sit and think about it for too long. Not that good at strategising and building powerpoint packs filled with slides on my thoughts on how I might get "stuff done". Just get on and do it. Sometimes it works and other times.........well.

At least I'm "doing something" is my story. Someone who is more aligned with "Think-Do" would say that I'm not with the program or seeing the broader picture; that I need to ease up. No doubt some of this is true and I can see both approaches have merit and potential downfall. At times the "Do-Think" approach has been to my detriment; but more often than not its been a successful one.

However, the more I sit in rooms full of other humans in back to back repetitive meetings who are "thinking stuff" about how to "do stuff"; the more I become frustrated because I'm not getting on with it. Were not getting on with it. The organisations not getting on with it. The Worlds not getting on with it.

People say they like to work with me because I just get on with it and get "stuff done".

Anyone else relate to this?

What if the world was full of only those that "Do Think" for a day?

Is that a scary thought for all of you "Think-Do" types out there?

Wouldn't it be an interesting experiment to start doing 100% of what your gut told you was best before your head had a chance to interfere; and spend time contemplating the world and the risks associated with making a decision.

This might play out in telling people what they need to hear rather than what you think they want to hear. It may be that one act on instinct that was the game changer that everyone thought of but no-one executed. This could well speed things up as well and get to dynamic outcomes a little quicker than is currently the case. Might also make for interesting dynamics in organisations, communities and society in general. Could possibly break the more risk averse system we operate in today.

How many humans say things like "I knew I should have gone with my instincts in the first place because thats how things panned out", "I should have said how I was feeling" or "it didn't pop into my head at the time" only to be disappointed later on about missing the possibility of being their true self when the chance arose.

The issue with it "popping into your head" is that once it went above your neck you thought too much about it; and didn't do anything possibly through fear of how you would be viewed by others.

Thats why I love the quote below from Horace; the leading Roman poet in the time of Emperor Augustus; and later made by famous Hawthorn FC Coach John Kennedy Snr in a rousing address to his players in the 1975 VFL Grand Final.

Don't think just do - Horace

Kennedy commented on the actual events of the day “It was half-time (of the grand final) against North and we had a few academics in the side at the time and they were telling me ‘I think this’ and ‘I think that’.

“It just got too much for me so I just said, ‘Don’t think, do something!’.

So - whats your preference - "Do Think" or "Think Do"

Be Yourself

Be Human