I have always loved mapping out every process that seemed new or complicated to me. However, I’ve often struggled with the feeling that this activity is low-yielding and akin to procrastination. Despite this, these diagrams allow me to unload my mind onto paper, making the whole process clearer. They usually highlight the weak areas of any process or plan and provide a better image of the amount of work required to implement those processes or plans in reality.
My feeling of wasted effort stemmed from the fact that I never implemented those plans and processes. The sheer amount of work required was overwhelming, and I would simply give up. On top of that, my immediate environment often dismissed these process diagrams as unnecessary. “Everything’s clear without those drawings,” a fellow developer would say.
But I have come to realize that these diagrams are powerful tools for mapping out the path to actual implementations. My past failure was due to being intimidated by the amount of uncertainty and work, which made it seem impossible to accomplish on my own. This time, I plan on approaching these schemes differently. I will focus on one small area of the path each week, rather than being overwhelmed by the whole picture. Once I complete a part, I’ll mark it as done on the diagram and move on to the next. I used to estimate my speed and how fast the system would be built (usually never), but this time I’ll try to let go of those estimations and just take it one step at a time.
In conclusion, process diagrams are more than just drawings; they are a means to break down complex tasks into manageable steps. By shifting my approach and focusing on incremental progress, I hope to turn what once felt like procrastination into genuine productivity.
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