I have led a toothless life, he thought. A toothless life. I have never bitten into anything. I was waiting. I was reserving myself for later on–and I have just noticed that my teeth have gone.

💬 Jean-Paul Sartre

… from his book The Age of Reason which coincidentally (Ed: No it isn’t) is one of two ages I write about — specifically the transition from The Age of Reason to The Age of Experience.

He’s talking about procrastination - waiting for ‘later’ … so never biting and reminding us that by the time you’re ready, your teeth are gone.

I think that pattern shows up everywhere in transformation work. It’s how organisations move, how people engage, how change actually happens. The Age of Reason is - was? necessary. But don’t underestimate the fall out.

  • Organisations stuck in ‘Reason mode’: Analysis paralysis. Another audit, another framework, another study before you’re ‘ready to actually engage. Meanwhile the market moves.

  • People waiting for ideal conditions: Perfect timing never comes. The safety you’re waiting for doesn’t exist. Experience builds through doing, not planning.

  • The cost of deferment in transformation: Every day in Reason without moving to Experience is a day the organisation doesn’t learn. Teeth don’t grow back.

Reminded of the quote by 🔗 Thought Shrapnel