The over-prepared

'...the art of maximizing the amount of work not done...' -- Agile Manifesto

I have a strong tendency to do more work than I need to. I do this in small ways and large, and I call it over-preparing.

As a small example, when I arrive home I tend to get my keys out of my pocket (or bag) about 20 metres before I am at my front door. There is no need for me to get the keys out this early before I get to the door. I could get them out 5 metres from the door without having any delay between walking and putting the key into the lock, or even, as shockingly inefficient as it would be, reaching and stopping at my front door before reaching for my keys.

But for some reason I think that having 15 metres of preparation is essential, despite the increased risk of dropping the keys and tripping over because I am thinking about the keys instead of walking (admittedly small risks, but it is surprising how often I do drop the keys).

I am sure I do this in larger ways as well, and I started wondering what I am actually doing. In the words of a friend of mine, I am not sure if it is a bug or a feature, but it would seem to me that I am doing work before it actually needs to be done, therefore increasing the likelihood that I am doing work unnecessarily.

I think it comes down to wanting to feel like I am being productive and efficient and doing, whereas some moments don't require that, and I would be better off staying with the moment and being in the moment.

Time to stop typing, and to have a cup of tea.