Kill the Butterfly (Effect)

Marylynn Pauline
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

I’ve been meaning to write a first article for quite some time now. I was always pushing back that time where I would sit down at a desk, and let the words flow one by one on one of those note apps. Why is that? Well I figured out the main reason for this hesitation was the following: Seeking the perfect subject.

As all human beings encounter way too often, overthinking and hesitation happen (I seem to have been extensively hit by that myself). Several ideas start bursting into one’s mind. Several subjects that may seem great for a first article: Sharing that latest recipe you perfected, describing that amazing experience at that yoga retreat you attended last week, listing the top 40 things you would like to achieve before you turn 40, or just simply laying out the business model for this awesome new idea you came up with.

And then a feeling of overwhelming starts to appear. Which one should I go with? Is it the perfect way to go? What if I come up with a better one later one? And each thought starts unfolding in your mind, spreading like wildfire, enabling a cause and consequence series of delusive events.

The step that follows is just abandoning the initial drive that pushed you to think, and postponing the writing process to yet another future date.

And obviously that’s not the right way to go.

Solution: Kill that mental butterfly effect.
Planning for the perfect article might as well be planning for an impossible article. I decided to simply start writing, ban that overthinking happening in my head, and publish that long-awaited post. Taking action will automatically halt the mental rippling of thoughts happening inside your mind.

You might relate to this in several other ways and/or fields. I guess it’s a change of attitude that should be adopted for a more productive and self-fulfilling lifestyle. And one that’s been on my resolution list for quite some time. The best way to start is now. Here’s to Now!

Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash

Marylynn Pauline

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