Are you guilty of too much planning and not enough action like me?

[MarieHaynes]

I really don't need an answer to this, but thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss.

I have found that since joining SEOMoz, I have been getting some great information on advanced SEO tactics.  I'm learning how to analyze competitor's backlinks, create and promote linkbait, craft a convincing link request email and so much more.  But I've also found that I am in a state of paralysis by analysis!  I'm not doing anything!

So...this week I'll be putting into action a piece of linkbait that I've been working on for a while...and then promoting it.  It's time for action!

[DonnieCooper]

Howdy Dunamis, I don't think you're alone with this at all. We use Google Calendars to manage our time carefully and to avoid slipping into the 'SEOmoz analysis paralysis'. That said, I personally feel like that's half the fun of being an SEO, all that study time! It makes me wonder how companies like SEOgadget, Distilled, and SEOmoz (when they did consulting) are able to teach and innovate soooo much. And yet they got stuff done as well. Distilled's new mantra seems to be Getting Things Done, so I suspect they've had the same problem also

I think a 50/50 time split is well enough. Perhaps, 70/30 (doing, studying) for those working by themselves. What do you think?

[AlanBleiweiss]

I think it all depends on how shiny the object is (how interesting the site, data and market are) for me.  The shinier the object, the more I want to gaze.  Fortunately over the years I've come to realize this and catch it earlier in the gazing process. So when I feel like I've turned into a deer in headlights, I take action.

What's really a blessing for me is that as I've become more and more skilled, I've been able to increase my rates to the point where I spend about 80% of my time blogging, reading articles, tweeting, and participating in the community, and the rest actually working on client projects.

Which means when I'm focused on client projects, I have a major need to stay focused and not get lost in the data - it's an even bigger priority than it ever was before.

[blackballonline]

I think we're all very lucky to have such problems. This field is so diverse and there are opportunities everywhere. I'd study 100% if I could. I like it that much, alas there are bills. In direct response to your statement there's an old saying that if you love what you do you never work a day in your life. Sounds like you do. Congrats.

[EGOL]

I think that it depends upon the size of your organization and the position where you sit.

If you are responsible for a lot of people then you better be planning a lot.... but if you are the widget guy then you don't need to plan as much, your job is to make widgets.