Doing It is the Best Way to Learn It

I just read this mini-rant by Jonathan Mead about the futility of learning how to be a better blogger by reading how-to articles: Trying to Learn to be a Better Blogger is a Waste of Time.

It’s so easy to get distracted. It’s so easy to think that reading a bunch of “how to” manuals on better blogging, or better anything, will really make you better. It’s so easy to think this is productive.

What’s not easy to face is the truth. Most skills and knowledge comes not through mulling through instructions, but with actual real practice. Hard work. Failing a lot. Being really crappy at times. Writing things your mother would not be proud of.

While Jonathan is talking specifically about blogging, his point can be applied to any activity that has a learning curve.

I suspect you know that trying and failing in an activity is one of the best ways to learn something about it. But I also suspect that many of you have already spent months doing "research" in anticipation of launching your online business. So what's the hold up? Why haven't you started yet? My guess is that uncertainty and fear of mistakes is a leading cause of inaction.

You will make mistakes. Accept it. It's okay, because first, making a mistake is the best way to avoid that same mistake in the future. And second, you will make a lot more money by trying and making mistakes, than by letting the fear of failure prevent your business from getting off the ground at all. About a year ago, I wrote this article on how internal FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) keeps your great idea from becoming a real business. I think it's an appropriate reminder that the roadblocks to launching your business aren't really roadblocks at all!

The point I'm trying to make? Start your online business today. It's a great New Year's resolution for '09.