Don’t think, just do

Have you read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? It’s one of a few very funny books by Douglas Adams. I was thinking of a scene in it where the alien Zaphod Beeblebrox teaches the human Arthur Dent how to fly. According to Zaphod, it’s easy: You simply throw yourself at the ground and miss. To be successful, you can’t think about flying at all, you just have to do it. After a few misfires, Arthur finds himself soaring along, keeping company with the birds. Soaring, that is, until he suddenly realizes he’s actually flying. Then he drops like a stone.

Thinking gets in the way of doing sometimes.

During a recent trip to Italy, I spent the morning taking language classes which I immediately followed with lunch at a charming vegetarian restaurant nearby. To up my language-learning ante, I told the owners I was attending school nearby so they insisted on speaking Italian only to me.

One day, as I settled into my table for lunch, I was unexpectedly joined by Francesco, one of the restaurant’s owners. He smiled and asked me a question in Italian. Usually, I can at least think of what to say, even if I can’t say it properly. Startle me, though, and I’m a deer trapped in headlights, blinking and wondering why someone is making funny noises at me. Conversationally speaking, I dropped like a stone.

After lunch, I paid the bill and Francesco asked another question. Without thinking about it, I answered and we spoke for a couple of minutes. I held my own until he said “Parla molto bene (you speak very well).” Eeeep. I suddenly realized I was flying/speaking Italian and I plummeted to Earth. Not a total plunge, but I lost my momentum.

Lesson learned: Don’t think, just do.

What are you thinking about right now? Would it be better if you just did it? Probably.