When Knowing the "How" Derails the "What" in Your Projects

Balancing the "how" and the "what" in projects is tough. Learn how focusing too much on implementation can hinder your vision—and how to avoid it.

This article was originally published in 2013, and has been updated in 2025.

Have you ever found yourself so consumed by how to implement an idea that you lose sight of what you’re trying to achieve? It’s a trap I’ve fallen into more times than I’d like to admit, especially in programming. This challenge isn’t unique to me—it’s something my team has experienced firsthand while working on the Seed Philly directory project. Let’s unpack why this happens and how we can navigate it.

The Trap of Knowing Too Much About the "How"

As someone with a programming background, I’ve developed a knack for visualizing processes and mapping out interactions between moving parts. This ability often feels like a superpower—until it doesn’t. Once I start building out a structure, I inevitably hit roadblocks: debugging unexpected errors, wrestling with unfamiliar technologies, or dealing with unforeseen incompatibilities (Azure databases, anyone?). These obstacles can eat up hours—sometimes days—of my time. Case in point: a Facebook integration once devoured 172 hours of my life.

The problem isn’t just the time lost. It’s that while I’m stuck troubleshooting, the what—the overarching goal or purpose of the project—grinds to a halt. Progress stalls not just functionally, but strategically. The energy and excitement that fueled the project in its early stages dissipate, leaving me frustrated and unproductive.

Why You Can’t Do It All

This phenomenon highlights an important truth: trying to juggle both the how and the what is often unsustainable. It’s tempting to believe you can manage both flawlessly, but in reality, one—or both—will suffer. As Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation famously said:

"Don’t half-ass two things; whole-ass one thing."

In other words, focus is key. When you’re wearing multiple hats as both the visionary and the implementer, it’s easy to get bogged down in details that derail your momentum.

The Role of Teams in Balancing "How" and "What"

This is where having a team becomes invaluable. A strong team allows you to delegate responsibilities so that no one person is responsible for everything. Developers can focus on the how, while leaders drive forward the what. For example, during our Seed Philly project, when developers hit technical snags, having someone else push forward on business strategy kept us from losing sight of our ultimate goals.

But what if you don’t have a team? Many entrepreneurs and solo professionals find themselves holding all the balls at once. In these cases, prioritization becomes critical. You need to decide which tasks require your full attention and which can be deferred, outsourced, or simplified.

Practical Tips for Avoiding the "How" Trap

If you’ve ever been stuck in this cycle, here are some strategies that might help:

1. Define Clear Goals for Each Phase
   Before diving into implementation, articulate what success looks like for each stage of your project. This clarity will help you stay focused on the what, even when technical challenges arise.

2. Set Boundaries on Time Spent Troubleshooting
   Give yourself a fixed amount of time to resolve issues before seeking help or reevaluating your approach. This prevents minor bugs from consuming disproportionate amounts of energy.

3. Leverage External Resources
   Don’t hesitate to turn to online communities, forums, or professional networks for guidance when you’re stuck. Sometimes an outside perspective can save hours—or days—of frustration.

4. Invest in Collaboration Tools
   Even if you’re working solo, tools like project management software can help you track progress on both technical and strategic fronts, ensuring neither gets neglected.

5. Know When to Step Back
   If you find yourself spiraling into frustration over an implementation detail, take a break and revisit the bigger picture. Ask yourself: “Is this issue critical to achieving my goal right now?”

Final Thoughts

Balancing the how and the what is one of the toughest challenges in any project—especially when you’re deeply invested in both aspects. But by recognizing when you’re stuck in the weeds and taking steps to refocus, you can keep your projects moving forward without losing sight of their purpose.

So here’s my question for you: How do you manage this balance? If you’ve found strategies or insights that work for you, I’d love to hear them! Let’s keep learning from each other as we tackle these challenges head-on.