That's exactly it. I see in people a kind of perfectionist procrastination, where the idea of putting something less than perfect onto paper (or in a word document) somehow confirms their lack of skill or their fear that they'll never produce something "good". So they procrastinate until they think of something perfect on the first try - doing nothing in this case produces less anxiety than doing something imperfect.
Unfortunately, perfection almost never comes on the first try - I'm always trying to encourage people to work past that initial anxiety. A supportive environment helps a lot, in my experience.
I was that guy though. The one that wouldn't take the first step. The one that never tried because although I practically ached to write my own music, I thought all my ideas were stupid. It took me hitting rock bottom in self-esteem, thinking "fuck it I don't care if it's shit I need an outlet for what I'm feeling." for me to take the first step and actually write my first song. Imagine my surprise when people heard it and told me it was really good (well actually at first they didn't believe I wrote it). Although I thought it was just luck, I was addicted and so I kept writing and like any skill I got better as I went and learnt tricks to make it easier and eventually came to accept that I am kinda ok at it (still feels weird saying I'm good at it :P). I think the biggest lessong I have learned is that a lot of the time our biggest barrier is our belief or rather lack of belief in our own capabilities.
That's exactly it. I see in people a kind of perfectionist procrastination, where the idea of putting something less than perfect onto paper (or in a word document) somehow confirms their lack of skill or their fear that they'll never produce something "good". So they procrastinate until they think of something perfect on the first try - doing nothing in this case produces less anxiety than doing something imperfect.
Unfortunately, perfection almost never comes on the first try - I'm always trying to encourage people to work past that initial anxiety. A supportive environment helps a lot, in my experience.
I was that guy though. The one that wouldn't take the first step. The one that never tried because although I practically ached to write my own music, I thought all my ideas were stupid. It took me hitting rock bottom in self-esteem, thinking "fuck it I don't care if it's shit I need an outlet for what I'm feeling." for me to take the first step and actually write my first song. Imagine my surprise when people heard it and told me it was really good (well actually at first they didn't believe I wrote it). Although I thought it was just luck, I was addicted and so I kept writing and like any skill I got better as I went and learnt tricks to make it easier and eventually came to accept that I am kinda ok at it (still feels weird saying I'm good at it :P). I think the biggest lessong I have learned is that a lot of the time our biggest barrier is our belief or rather lack of belief in our own capabilities.
Thank you for the insight. I definitely have this problem when it comes to just putting things down on paper.