29. This advice means fundamentally that if we focus our attention on the details of a
& c6 W; ^" Y0 U6 H( l; r2 P; |+ vproject rather than on the end product, the result will be better than if we proceed the
; p. r- g& Z1 k+ q: ^other way around. Admittedly, this advice has some merit; by focusing on the details at ! J. P' B& M; h; B. a
hand one is less likely to become discouraged by the daunting or overwhelming tasks
9 E. T8 n* Q' S, ~8 H/ Xahead in an ambitious project. Otherwise, however, I think this advice is poor,) q0 K+ {* g& q' l& x4 ^9 K
The central problem with this advice is that focusing attention completely on the
/ w p0 D' i: [task at hand without reference to how that task is related to the end product would be : S: P) N. o i, ^4 X
virtually impossible to do. The reason for this is simple. Without some reference to a 4 L3 I. L) z! p# n
goal or a result we would have no idea of what task to perform in the first place. As a
8 h, b, X4 F7 J/ Z! u% ?! O" @result, the various tasks we engage in would be somewhat random and, in turn, no 5 E+ [8 L' v+ P) |6 w& a
matter how diligent and careful we were in performing them the likelihood of producing
% h1 L; e' o1 n) J5 A n$ dworthwhile or successful end products would be minimal./ G, b8 k, x% S" @: }8 x! Y
To ensure good results, one should instead take a balanced approach to the task at
% R+ y9 H4 l! Z; L( V: \hand. By a balanced approach I mean paying attention to both the desired result and the ; `$ t m: E# y8 a. V8 I
specific tasks that are required to achieve it. House building provides a good example of
: F3 q4 Y7 r# @, D! k9 w1 Vthis approach. The house plan not only contains a rendering of the finished product but $ B3 V7 Q1 ~. e, C
also contains detailed drawings and descriptions of each of the specific components
+ i6 i6 ^7 a4 irequired to ensure a successful result. Moreover, the order of the tasks is determined . `" i& o) D" ^
with reference to this result. In my estimation, virtually all successful projects proceed
7 X r6 f4 ]7 s ^in the fashion illustrated in this example.) T' Y" {* Y- R: m* J7 J. n E" j
In sum, I don't think that the advice offered in the statement is worth following. In
# E7 C7 k; B+ y2 U. bmy view, following this advice is more likely to produce unsuccessful results than 5 r B7 T0 q" }
successful ones. |