Dev Spends Years Building 'Perfect' Learning Setup, Discovers It's Just Procrastination in Neat Folders

A recent personal reflection revealed a common pitfall in the learning process, where individuals prioritize optimization over actual learning content. The author, who remained unnamed, described a routine of consuming content at an accelerated pace, such as watching videos at 1.25x speed, without truly grasping the material. This approach, masquerading as productivity, ultimately hindered their understanding and ability to apply the knowledge. The turning point came when they attempted to explain a simple concept and failed, prompting a shift in approach from planning and organization to hands-on experimentation and embracing mistakes. By doing so, they began to experience genuine learning and growth. This phenomenon is not unique to programming, as people often optimize secondary aspects, such as tools and workflows, rather than focusing on developing skills and understanding. The outcome is a lack of substantial progress, highlighting the importance of balancing preparation with practical application and experimentation.