Overthinking is a waste of time

[KazeCraven]

SO anyway, I've noticed after recently trying to develop my writing skills that I have a really strong tendency to edit everything as I type, if not before then. This tendency extends to forum typing as well, such that I spend about 20minutes or so to write a post that should take only 2 or 3. Then I have to go back to make sure that everything is grammatically correct and stuff.

I've noticed that this tendency extends to pretty much anything I do. Anything I "take seriously" causes me to think a great deal before acting, even if such a thing isn't warranted. I can talk without thinking, but I rarely do if I am taking what my listeners are saying/had said/are thinking seriously.

Obviously, this tendency is natural for INTPs. My point in making this thread is whether this issue is something others resist or welcome. This also gives me a bit of acceptance for random grammatical errors, especially on casual places like forums.

 

[Cognisant]

In terms of fiction writing, if I'm not doing it for my own amusement, I just can't do it.

In terms of general writing, I think and the thoughts appear on screen, it just happens.
Although there is of course the sound of fingers mashing away at a keyboard.

Over-editing only occurs when I'm under pressure, and not having fun.

 

[EditorOne]

Now that you are aware of it you can bring it under control. One thing that really helps, speaking from experience, is deadlines, even self-imposed deadlines. Give yourself five minutes to write something for the forums and one minute to edit it, and that's that. Either send it or erase it. You'll get in the habit of moving more efficaciously. (I've been hoping to use that word in a post all week.)

 

[speiss]

In terms of general writing, I think and the thoughts appear on screen, it just happens. Although there is of course the sound of fingers mashing away at a keyboard.

This.

Ever since I participated in NaNoWriMo, I ceased having this problem. The whole point of the activity was to get the words down, and take care of editing later. Now of course, I have an awful tendency of skipping the editing process and just posting shit after just tweaking the occasional technical error..

 

[Haven]

I have that problem too, especially during an intense conversation. I take time to choose the perfect words to say, while buying time with verbal fillers. In fact, one of my friends thought that I was slow, as I took a few seconds more than usual to respond to her questions. However, when I finally do answer, I feel that I am able to capture and convey my ideas exactly by my word choice... though it seems that people listening don't understand the significance of the words I choose...

It is much better now. To improve, I just tried to understand that the person I was conversing with was unlikely to gain as much meaning as I intended from my choice of adjectives (because these kinds of subtleties are usually no good for most types of conversation). I've kept that in mind while chatting and debating, and it has helped.

As far as writing goes, I feel that a lot of writing happens before the typing (or pencil scribbling) begins. I don't actively think too much about writing, but when I know what I have to do, I subconsciously pre-write most things, so that when I sit down, it all comes to me at once. During this stage, I focus on getting the ideas out rather than examining grammar mistakes. When I dont have enough time to think about a subject, its hard to write because thats when I get stuck on the grammar/spelling. Have you adequately thought about the subject? More brainstorming helps sometimes.

 

[KazeCraven]

For me, it seems that a great deal of the time, I either feel like I'm rambling or, in the case of good writing, my writing falls flat so I have to choose the proper words. Then, when I start ignoring that, I think, "Wow. This writing is so not worth putting on paper, because it sucks."

Well, that's good to know that many people do not have this problem. Therefore, I should be able to overcome it pretty easily, I assume.

(Did not bother thinking this post through extra, and perhaps no one will notice the difference between this and my other posts.)

 

[wires]

I always over-edit, both in posts and in creative writing. I like it in some ways, because I really dislike incorrect grammar and spelling, but other times it can just be tiring. Often I give up and erase the entirety because I'm so frustrated with it.

Example: I just edited out a word - after I had already posted - because I used it twice in the post.

The fact that I used 'post' twice in the above sentence annoys me.
Also, that I used 'twice' in both of the last sentences.

You're right. This is counter-productive.

 

[KazeCraven]

I attribute it to an overactive Ti function. Sure, it's useful to correct yourself, but I think that should be save for the second draft (if necessary). Whatever Ska is doing over in the other thread (with his Ne and writing argument) sounds like something I should be paying attention to, especially for a place like this.

 

[ShipwreckSilence]

I found it rather humorous when I noticed how often I'd read a reply to a thread on this board only to find it edited a minute later. It certainly takes me forever to type a post out.

Lately I've been obsessed over developing a way to get all my ideas noted down but of course I can't help but edit and go for perfect and no matter how many notebooks I buy I can never use them because I'm afraid of messing them up.

What I've found worked best for me is to simply buy a really crappy notebook and purposely mess up the page i'm writing on. Then I simply accept that I'll have to rewrite it anyhow so I might as well fill the entire page. When I rewrite, I can edit as I go. Then I can get rid of any page that is trashed and only have the good pages. Sometimes it does take a few goes, but if I just accept I'm going to trash a page the ideas spew out and the stress goes away.

I've made a conscious effort to learn to talk with less contemplation as well. I think the important thing is to remember that there are plenty of times when thinking before you speak is smart, so eradicating that completely would be silly. When I'm with friends though and am not in danger, that's a good time to practice letting loose. It lightens the mood and they appreciate it.

It's also an issue for me cutting hair. I over think and take forever which is not good money-wise. There I practice "flow" more than anything. Trying to get into that place where I let my intuition take over and my hands move before I think. I find I do my best work this way. Any skill I've practiced tends to work best this way.

 

[bloozie]

That's why you become spontaneous and see what happens just for the hell of it. I enjoy doing that often.... only when I'm bored... which is often.

 

[lalaguide]

and that is why we believe in intuition and snap judgement

 

[nexion]

In terms of general writing, I think and the thoughts appear on screen, it just happens.
Although there is of course the sound of fingers mashing away at a keyboard.

This, again.

Whatever I think goes up there, whether or not it has grammar, spelling, or syntax errors, whether it flows right, has good word choice, or is effective writing (usually, I don't do too bad in any of these areas). You write what you think before you forget it. You edit it later and make it go from good (with coherent, complete thoughts) to great (with the former along with proper grammar, flow, structure, and everything else that is part of good writing). This method has worked for me for years for getting no less than B's or C's on all my essays, A's if I actually try. Very effective. Of course, once you have all the writing on the paper, there is nothing at all wrong with overthinking on how to properly edit, if that includes thinking ten minutes for one single word that will make the paper sound better. It is possible to write very fast using this method if you are a skilled writer, so no matter what the time limit, you will almost always have plenty of time left over. The essay question on the SAT had to be written in under 25 minutes, and I finished completely in about 15. Another thing to remember is that, if you have a deadline, it doesn't matter how long it takes you to do it as long as you start it early enough to finish it on time.

Reading these posts, I find I am familiar with the perception of rambling in writing. I generally say things very long-winded.

Also, no offense, but some of you guys have inefficient ways of writing. Haha.

A key to good writing is making sure you don't overuse a word in a specific period. And MAKE SURE to use strong adjective. Not sure that is really relevant to the thread. But whatever.

The point of this post was to say, overthinking is NOT a waste of time. Not in any way.

 

[snafupants]

if overthinking is keeping you from your ideal self, then it should be eliminated.

 

[KazeCraven]

if overthinking is keeping you from your ideal self, then it should be eliminated.

full agreement

 

[Riiscup]

KazeCraven, I so have that problem it's not funny and yes it extends into everything I do. I always want to use just the right words in just the right way as to get across exactly what I want to say clearly and succintly. I do it when I post, when I am writing in my journal, all the time. If it is a paper that I have to turn in to someone else, it is even worse.

I am, however, getting better with it because it takes me too long to write a simple post. I guess you can categorize me as one who tries to resist it, or at least circumvent this. So I try to get all the ideas out with no form or fashion, and then go back and piece it together so that it makes sense. Mostly this helps me get all my ideas on paper before I forget them because my mind moves much faster than I write. It saves me time too because I am not constantly going over one sentence or another.

EditorOne, self-imposed deadlines never worked for me simply because my mind can't make my body do anything that isn't real. I can't trick myself because I know the truth, so I kind of act like I am working toward the self-imposed deadline really knowing that I have more time until the real deadline which is usually when stuff really gets done by -sometimes.

 

[Yasmin]

Oh, God, yes. Everything must be thought and re-thought. Worded and re-worded. Read and re-read.

Halfway through, I tend to get distracted and give up.

Although, it isn't a constant phenomena for me. As you said, it's 'serious' things that I do this to. If I hold and idea or opinion that means a great deal, I take special care into making sure it is understood correctly.

Otherwise, I just go at it as simply and with as little effort as possible.

I'm quite an all or nothing type of person.