On the Usefulness of Dumb Practicality

I was on the phone last week with an old student of mine. This student was a fitness student and eventually became a business student. And he told me how surprised he was–how surprised and ecstatic and amazed–that everything I told him just somehow,  magically seemed to work. “It’s just like you said it would be, Pat. I really can’t believe it.”

So, I put my metaphorical arm around this lad and told him that he deserves a lot of credit himself. I said to him, I said, you know, Mitch (might be his real name), what’s good about you, is you don’t really think about things. You just do.

I said you’ve got that good ol’ fashioned dumb practicality, Mitch. I think it’s great that your brain functions at such a low level, Mitch — really, I can’t say enough good thing about it. It reminds me of talking to a fish in the tank at the aquarium sometimes, but it makes me smile these simple conversations we have. Thinking is something that far too often gets in a persons way. But that has never seemed to inconvenience you, Mitch. Not at all, not even once. That’s a superpower, so far as I’m concerned.

He took the compliment very gladly and said he someday wanted to return the favor somehow.

That conversation really got me thinking. Mostly, it’s got me thinking about how much an impediment thinking can be, and how what most of us need, is not more information, or even more education, most times,  but more of that “good ol’ fashioned dumb practicality.” We need to do. But first, we need to get started.

The oppositie of dumb practicality is “intelligent” procrastination. I say “intelligent” because it is not really intelligent at all. Anexample of intelligent procrastination is something I’m sure we’re all familiar with: Attempting to think out every single little detail, or plan every single little scenario, that we never actually get started on something. We keep putting things off because we can “think” of a reason not to start or of some scenario that could possibly go wrong.

Or worse, we “think” a better way might eventually present itself, so we don’t get started at all, hoping this better way will soon present itself.

Much better, in virtually every instance, to start now. Think a little bit, sure. Dumb practicality doesn’t mean being completely moronic. There’s some meager thinking involved. But after which, we just allow ourselves to get to work.

Then, once a phase is done, we can turn our thinking back on. We can assess and see if there’s something we can improve or practice differently or better next time. But while we’re on the job, we think only about the job. We employ dumb practicality.

The people who get results in life are those who just get started. Who ready and fire, then aim. Because once you’re started, you can always course correct as you need. But until you get started, the only place you’re going to wind up is right where you already are.

 – Pat

PS – Here’s something to get started on. No thinking required: 101 Kettlebell Workouts. (It’s also free.)

http://www.101kettlebellworkouts.com

PS – I’ll give one last example, then I’m done. Strong ON! is the place for dumb practicality. Why? Because I lay everything out for you. There’s literally nothing to think about. Each day, you’re told exactly what to do for a workout. And each challenge comes with a nutrition plan which explains exactly what (and when) to eat.

Results are automatic for anyone who follows the plan. No thinking required.

Just dumb practicality.

https://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/strongon