Getting things done in exploration

Exploration creates learning. But nothing much else.

The tangible benefits of learning come only after we have produced something with it. The early hours of a new adventure rarely allow us enough knowledge to do so… or so we think.

Common thoughts we have before we try to apply what we have learnt:

• I just started on this, there’s plenty of time
• I haven’t learnt enough about this topic yet.
• I know so little, people won’t listen to what I have to say or write about it.
• How do I know what I’m sharing is correct?

This applies even on projects where we already know more than 90% of the population. There is also more to learn. In order to be thorough in applying our knowledge, we make plans.

…getting ready can become a distraction: there is a very fine line between preparation and procrastination.
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Being prepared is overrated: start before you feel ready

The use of planning - the action is more important

But plans change all the time.

What use is a static collection of knowledge and instructions? Things always change, hence the plans always need to change.

But the act of working through that plan ensures you have thought through the many aspects of that project. You have become the one to consult, when anyone needs a big picture view of what’s going on.

Go ahead with the plan. But the true value is from the act of planning.

…the truly hard, terrible, nasty truth is that you need to do the exploration phase in order to get to the execution phase.
Dan Shipper, Why You’re Not Doing Creative Work

The act of planning is already an application of knowledge

We just need to be clear about the value of what we have just thought through. All of this compiled knowledge is of benefit to someone else, too.