HSK 4-5 - Don't Wait for the Perfect Moment - 不要等待完美的时机 - Chinese daily podcast

Hello, dear listeners! Welcome to the new episode of Daily Chinese. I am Li Ming. Hello everyone, I'm Wang Yu. It's great to see all of you again in the air. Li Ming, how have you been lately? You seem to be especially busy. Yeah, I've got a small project on my hands lately. Always wanting to plan it perfectly, So I spent a lot of time on preparation. The more preparation you do, the more you sometimes feel, The courage to begin is smaller. I completely understand this feeling. This reminds me of the topic we wanted to talk about with everyone today. Actually, many of us, Whether in studying, working, or daily life, One might have had similar thoughts before. When I'm ready, I'll begin. I'll do it when the time is right. You're right, so today's topic is Don't wait for the perfect moment. We would like to explore this topic together with everyone. Why are we always waiting, And how to bravely take the first step. Yes, this is a very life-related topic. Our audio program "Everyday Chinese," It's for those currently learning Chinese. Prepared for friends at an intermediate level. We hope to communicate through chatting, Let everyone be in a relaxed and natural environment, Unconsciously improving my Chinese listening skills. Yes, so everyone just listens like they're hearing a friend chat. Just listen relaxedly. The content we discuss may be related to Your own experiences resonate with me. Do you have anything you've always wanted to do? Yet I still can't help but feel it's not the right time yet? You can think while listening. You're absolutely right. Before we begin, I would like to say a few words to our new friends, The pace of our conversation It will be slightly slower than normal speaking pace. But we try to maintain a natural conversational feel. If you hear some words in the middle that you don't quite understand, Don't worry at all. Try guessing the meaning based on the context of our conversation. Of course, listening several times is also a good approach. If you really want to understand it thoroughly, You can check the complete text on our blog. The link is in the description below. Alright, let's officially begin today's topic. Wang Yu, you go ahead and speak first, Why do we always tend to习惯? Waiting for a so-called perfect moment? I think there are many psychological reasons behind this. The most important one is probably fear of failure. We want to make our debut the best possible. One move, and success is guaranteed. For example, I want to learn how to draw. I might think, Once I've bought all the finest brushes, Paint and paper Once I find the best teacher, Once I have a whole block of uninterrupted time, I'm starting again. But what about the outcome? Perhaps a year has passed, The paintbrushes still lie in their packaging box. What you're saying is over-preparation. I admit it, I am just like this. I have a tendency toward perfectionism. Before doing anything, I need to make a detailed plan. Analyze various possibilities, Predict all possible problems that may arise. And prepare a solution. For example, a few years ago, I want to create a personal website about Chinese history. It took me three months to research what technology to use, How to choose a server? How to design website structure The content should be divided into several sections. So, has the website gone live? No, because I always feel that, My historical knowledge is still not systematic. My website's design isn't attractive enough yet. My first article isn't profound enough yet. I'm always thinking that once I've read a few more dozens of books, Once I master more advanced design insights, I'll publish it when my writing improves. Finally, the project came to nothing. Now that I look back on it, I was actually trapped by my own imagination of perfection. Yes, this perfect moment is like a horizon, You feel it is just ahead. But no matter how hard you chase, you can never catch up. Because it doesn't exist at all, Life is full of various uncertainties. You will never be able to wait for a The moment when all conditions are fully met. When it comes to this, I recall a very famous saying, Translated into Chinese, it's roughly Completion is more important than perfection. What it means is An ordinary thing that has been completed Than doing a perfect thing that never ends It's worth it. That statement is so well put. I think in our culture Sometimes there is an excessive worship of perfection. Since childhood, we've been taught to aim for perfect scores. Do your best; there's no room for mistakes. This educational approach certainly has its advantages, But at the same time, it might also allow us When facing uncertainty Generate an instinctive recoil. You've touched on a very profound point. This fear of swearing It's actually something cultivated later in life, It is not something we are born with, Look at little children learning to walk, Fall down? Get up again. Never because of a few falls Just give up learning to walk. Yes. In a child's world, there is no The logic of walking only after I'm ready, They kept trying endlessly, Keep falling down constantly, And keep getting up repeatedly. At some point in our lives, we learned to fear. Learned to regard failure and I'm not someone who can be equated with that. This observation is very interesting. Then let's continue. Besides fear of failure and perfectionism, I think there's another reason as well. That's just the threshold we set at the beginning. The equipment is too tall. For example, someone wants to work out. It began in his mind Maybe it's just getting an expensive gym membership, Please provide a professional personal trainer. Exercise for two hours every day. The threshold is too high. Just thinking makes me feel tired. Just wanted to retreat, So he just kept waiting, When I have more money myself, More time. You're right. But the actual threshold for starting to work out It can be very low. For example, after dinner tonight Take a 15-minute walk outside. Or follow along with videos at home Do a 10-minute stretch. This is a great beginning. We are often deceived by our own Was intimidated by the grand initial imagination. We are always striving to make a stunning debut, Yet overlooked all the remarkable achievements They all come from one It began with a minor, unassuming start. I fully agree. This kind of waiting is essentially a form of procrastination. We use preparation as an excuse. to avoid facing the real challenges that need to be confronted and uncertainty. What we fear may not be the thing itself, but began taking action afterward Difficulties and setbacks that may be encountered. Yes, and there's one more A fascinating psychological phenomenon, When we don't do something, We can keep imagining forever The beautiful appearance after its success. For example, your history website, In your imagination, It is rich in content and beautifully designed. Visitors came in an endless stream. But once you start doing it, You must face reality. There isn't a single visitor yet. The content written has been criticized by others. To protect that perfect imagination, We would rather choose not to begin. You've analyzed it too thoroughly. This is indeed a psychological defense mechanism. Not starting means there's no failure. Waiting gives us a reason to keep dreaming, But the cost of doing so We are forever stuck in place, Nothing will be gained. There is a specific term in psychology To describe this state, called analytical paralysis It means you're overthinking. Analyzing too deeply Instead, they ended up immobilized themselves. As if paralyzed. The term "paralysis" is used quite aptly here. I have completely experienced this state. Sometimes I open a document, I'm preparing to write something. It took two hours in the end. I'm thinking about how to come up with a title. Which font should be used? How should paragraphs be divided? In the end, nothing was written. I just closed the document. I've been through that too. I originally wanted to cook a dish, It took an hour in the end. Compare five different recipes online. I was too exhausted in the end. I directly ordered takeout. This is the most typical manifestation of analytical paralysis. Too many choices and information, It反而 makes it impossible to hold hands. Therefore, this leads us to our second point, An imperfect beginning, far surpasses a distant, indefinite one Perfect waiting, The action itself is more important than the result of the action. Could you please elaborate? Why is the action itself so important? Because only when you start doing it Only then can you receive the most authentic feedback. Only then will you be able to identify where the flaws are in your plan. Is your direction correct? What else do you still need to learn? It's like learning to swim. You can't look at a hundred swimming textbooks on the shore. Learn to swim. You must jump into the water and feel the buoyancy. After a few sips, you'll gradually find your rhythm. Your metaphor is very vivid. My history website is exactly that Learning to swim on land. No matter how much research I do, Nor is it better than me just using the simplest tool directly. Publish an imperfect article, Then observe the readers' reactions directly. Readers might tell me, They are particularly interested in a certain dynasty. Or perhaps they think my article is too long. These feedbacks are far better than me making things up out of thin air. Three months are far more precious. That's exactly the point. Starting action is like putting your thoughts into motion. tested in a real-world setting, You will find that, Many of the big problems you were worried about earlier It's actually not a problem at all. And some difficulties you've never even thought of But it will suddenly appear, That is growth. For example, I have always really liked making desserts. Always thinking about the process of making desserts Film it as a short video and share it online. But I'm always worried that my photos aren't professional enough. The kitchen at home isn't beautiful enough. There's nothing particularly distinctive about what they do. How did you overcome it at that time? One of my friends once told me, Don't even think about shooting a perfect video, Just use your smartphone. Simply shoot a one-minute video of the cookie-making process. Then just send it to our small chat group. Take a look at everyone's reactions. I did it that way. That video is very simple. The lighting is not perfect either. But after sending it out, My friends all said it looks especially delicious. Also gave me much encouragement. They also offered a few minor suggestions, For example, next time, you could type out the amount of materials needed in text. This imperfect beginning, Gave me tremendous confidence. I know I can do this thing. Moreover, through improvement, I can do better. This method is excellent. The concept of a minimum viable product. It's very popular in the technology industry. What it means is, Don't think about creating a perfect product from the very beginning. but first create the most essential and simplest version, Launch into the market Then, according to user feedback, Gradually perfect it step by step. This process is called iteration. Whatever we do, Actually, this approach can be applied in all cases. Yes, the term "iteration" is used very well. Our lives and growth, Isn't it just an ongoing process of iteration? The first version of you is certainly not perfect. But by continuously learning, Try, fail, correct Gradually update yourself into a better version. If you keep waiting until it becomes perfect before releasing it, Then you'll never have the chance again. Indeed, that is true. And once you start, You will obtain something called动力. As things progress, they push you forward. For example, You decide to run every day. The first day might be hard. But you persisted. The next day, you will have greater confidence because of yesterday's success. After sticking to it for a week, Running may become a habit. This positive cycle brought about by action, It is you who are watching and waiting Never be able to understand. Yes. Taking action breaks the cycle of procrastination. We often feel because The situation is too difficult, causing delays. Procrastination will also make us feel guilty and anxious. This negative emotion Conversely, this makes us even less willing to start. And as long as you take the first step, Even if it's just a small step, For example, placing running shoes by the door, You have already broken this cycle. You will feel as if you are losing control over your life I felt a sense of control. I recall a psychological study that said, Our actions themselves change how we feel. rather than having feelings change our actions. Many people believe that feelings must come first, Action follows motivation. But it's often the opposite. You go first. Energy will follow accordingly. This point truly颠覆了 many people's perceptions, We're always waiting for the feeling to do something we want to do. That feeling might never arise on its own. I think I can use a metaphor to explain it. The fireplace won't warm you first, Then make you go add more firewood again, You must add firewood first, Fire can only ignite when it has fuel. That is why there is warmth. This metaphor is excellent. I must write it down. Alright, we have analyzed the reasons for the delay, and clearly emphasized the importance of starting action. Now, let's talk about something more practical. For those who are just like I once was, Friends who are always waiting for the perfect moment, Do we have any specific recommendations? Of course there is. First of all, I think the most important point is, Lower your expectations for the first step. Don't even think about writing a book. but instead thinking, I'll only write a hundred characters today, Don't even think about me learning Chinese. Instead, I'm thinking about memorizing five words today. Break a grand goal into countless tiny ones, Actions that can be executed immediately. This method is highly effective. called task breakdown It can greatly reduce the psychological resistance to our actions. When a task seems small enough To the extent that failure is impossible, You'll find it hard to make excuses for yourself anymore. For example, fitness. If the goal is to do one push-up every day, Who wouldn't be able to do it? But miraculously, Once you finish one, You are likely to think, Let's make another one instead. This is the magic of action. When it comes to this, I seem to be able to sense the voices in the hearts of some audience friends, They might think, I know I should break down the goals. I also know I should start. But I'm really scared about taking the first step. I'm afraid I might not do well. What should I do if someone laughs at me? This feeling is actually quite common. I fully understand this concern. Regarding this question, My suggestion is to set a trial period for yourself, Tell yourself, I don't want to become a writer, Or a painter, I'm just trying to write or draw. For one month During this month, Do not pursue the outcome, Focus only on the process, Allow yourself to make mistakes, Allow yourself to do poorly. Treat it like a game. not an exam, This mindset will relax you a lot. Other people's opinions aren't that important anymore, You're just playing around. The mindset during this experimental period is excellent. It gave us a safe space. Go explore and make mistakes. There is one more trick I'd like to share with everyone, Called the five-minute rule. If there's something you don't want to do, Just say to yourself, I'll only do it for five minutes. Stop after five minutes. For example, not wanting to tidy up the room, Let's first organize for five minutes. Don't want to read books, Let's just look for five minutes. Many times, When you truly begin these five minutes, You will then discover, It's not as difficult as one might imagine. Then you will most likely continue doing so. Yes. The most difficult moment is at the very beginning. Once the machine starts running, It will be much smoother from here on. The five-minute rule I'll ignite the spark to start the engine for you. Also, for your beginning Create an atmosphere and a sense of ritual It is also very important. For example, You want to develop the habit of reading, You can specially set up a space at home A reading nook with a bookish style Place comfortable chairs and a birthing lamp. Drink a cup of tea every night. Sitting there, Even without reading books, Do it for five minutes. It is also a positive beginning. Hmm, The environment indeed influences human behavior. I would also like to add one more point, Just find a companion, It means finding someone who has the same goal as you. Let's move together. For example, if you want to learn Chinese, You can find a friend who is also learning Chinese, We agreed to report our progress to each other weekly. Sometimes, The driving force behind our actions It is not the longing for success, but rather not want to in front of friends The sense of responsibility behind a slip of the tongue. This method is really effective. A sense of social responsibility is a powerful driving force. Doing something alone It's so easy to give up. Because no one knows, And no one cares either. But if you publicly committed to it, Told a friend, Even post it on social media, Giving up would become somewhat embarrassing. You, on the contrary, will become even more determined. Yes, in psychology this is called Commitment and the principle of consistency. When you publicly express a commitment, There will be a power within your heart. Push you to fulfill it, Because humans naturally desire their own behavior What I say to myself is consistent. So, if you currently have one Things I've always wanted to do but never started Feel free to write it down in our comment section, Public commitment, That way, we'll all be waiting here. Keep up the good work—I'm rooting for you. This idea is excellent. Our comment section has become a little kingdom of promises. In summary, Methods for overcoming the mentality of waiting for perfection First, break down the task, Make the first step tiny. It is impossible to fail. Second, adjust your mindset, Give yourself an experimental period with uncertain outcomes. Third, utilize the five-minute rule. To initiate the difficult task. Fourth, create an environment conducive to The environment in which you begin your action. Fifth, find a partner, Publish your promise, Drive yourself forward through a sense of social responsibility. Well said; I'd like to add one final point. And most importantly, Accept imperfection. You must accept it from the bottom of your heart, Every beginning is imperfect. Even clumsy. When learning a language, one initially speaks haltingly. Learning an instrument at first Playing early is the same as playing late, These are all normal. Imperfection is the inevitable path toward perfection. True perfection is not something that exists from the very beginning. Flawless yet still has beauty in imperfection Mutual success, moving forward without pause. That's beautifully said, and I'd like to add, Those people you now think are doing exceptionally well, It's not because they were born perfect, rather because they started earlier than you More imperfect energy accumulated than you have. They've spit out more saliva than you have. So now I swim better. This is a good reminder, When we look at others' achievements, It's easy to overlook what lies behind them. The setbacks and failures experienced We only see the end point of success, yet forgot that they too came from Starting from an imperfect beginning. Yes, this is psychological. called survivorship bias We only ever see the stories of success. Cannot see those who have failed, The story of those who gave up. Therefore, we will generate a Illusion, believing that success is a thing Something done with ease Those who have succeeded Performed well from the very beginning, But the facts are completely not like that. Okay, I think the content we discussed today It's already very rich. Wang Yu, today we're discussing the middle part. Used some possibly intermediate-level learners Challenging words to say Now let's review it together, Help everyone better understand and remember. The first word is one I mentioned myself, Procrastination Can you explain it in simple terms? Okay, procrastination It's actually a very popular term. It refers to a behavioral habit. You already know perfectly well There is an important matter that needs to be attended to. But you just don't want to start. Always putting it off and putting it off again Tell yourself, do it tomorrow. This habit is called procrastination. It's explained very clearly. Alright, the second word, we mentioned The initial threshold, What does this threshold mean? Well, "threshold" originally referred to The piece of wood or stone beneath the door. Here. We use it as a metaphor The difficulty or standard of doing something. If we say The barrier to doing something is very high. What it means is, Doing this requires many conditions. It's hard to achieve. For example, we say, The barrier to opening a restaurant is very high. It means a lot of money is needed. A lot of experience. The third word is an idiom. Called progressive advancement. Yes, the meaning of "step by step" is basically, Study or work in a certain order and steps, Step by step. Don't rush. For example, when we study Chinese, One should proceed step by step. First learn pinyin, then learn Chinese characters. Learn more words and sentences Only then will the foundation be solid. Good, the fourth word, It is what I mentioned at the end. Concerns that everyone might have. What does "consideration" mean? Concerns are things one worries about or fears. Before you make a decision, Those things you're thinking in your heart, What if it fails? What will others think of me? These thoughts that make you hesitate, That's exactly your concern. Very good, we also used this today Two new words, Let me explain it separately. The first word is "analysis paralysis." Well, the meaning of "paralysis" is, When you face a decision, You're overthinking, overanalyzing, Instead, they couldn't take a single step forward, As if trapped by one's own thoughts Trapped, can't move. "Paralysis" was originally a medical term, a certain part of the body Unable to move. Here, we borrow this image To describe a mental state of being unable to move forward in thought. It's explained very well. The second term is survivorship bias. Survivorship bias is a concepts from statistics and psychology It means, When analyzing something, One often only sees the successful cases, and cannot see those failed cases. Due to failed cases Is often not recorded. and will not be widely disseminated, So the difficulty of something to us will lead to incorrect judgments, Believe that success is easier than it actually is. Excellent! I hope these explanations can help everyone. The words we are discussing today, for example, procrastination, threshold, step by step, Hesitation, analytical paralysis and survivorship bias, Everyone can also try doing it on their own Chinese writing and speaking practice Use them. Alright, today we're talking about Discussion on not waiting for the perfect moment It's about time it ended. Simply summarize it, Today we mainly discussed three points. First, we always wait for the perfect moment, Mainly because of the fear of failure, Aestheticism, analytical paralysis and set the initial threshold quite high. Second, an imperfect beginning Far more valuable than the perfect wait, Because the action itself can provide us with feedback, Power, growth. Moreover, action is often the source of motivation. not the outcome Third, we can achieve this through Break down paralysis, adjust your mindset, Using the five-minute rule, Create an environment and seek Methods such as public commitment by companions To help oneself be brave Take the first step. Yes, that's a really good summary. I hope today's chat brings everyone Bring some inspiration and encouragement. If you'd like to review the content of our conversation today, You can visit our blog. The blog's URL link is right here In the description section of this episode, Where can it be found? The complete report of this episode. Yes, if everyone feels that today's episode Be helpful to you, hopefully you can Like our video and subscribe to our channel And share it with your friends. This will be of great help to us. Let's find the motivation to do more Better content. That's right, finally we'd like to leave a question for you. Everyone, in your life Is there anything you've always wanted to do? What about the things that keep getting postponed? What is making you hesitate? Welcome everyone below Leave us a message in the comments section, Share your story or thoughts, We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone's Sharing, we'll do every single one Please read and reply carefully. Perhaps the question you raised or The story you share will become The theme of our next episode! Looking forward to your comments, So today we'll end here, Thank you all for listening, see you next time! Goodbye!