Is The “Toolbox Fallacy” Holding You Back? A Must-Read Guide

In the last few years, I’ve seen a few videos and blogs on something known as the “toolbox fallacy”. It’s something that caught my attention immediately, as it gave a name to a state of mind that I’ve witnessed in countless individuals, from aspiring creatives (artists, writers, musicians) to wannabee business owners and entrepreneurs.

If you have ever delayed achieving your goals; if you’re currently “waiting” for something that will allow you to produce music, write a novel, launch a business, or get a degree, you may be experiencing the toolbox fallacy.

What is the Toolbox Fallacy?

The toolbox fallacy is just a name given to an issue that many people struggle with. It’s not a widely recognized problem. It’s not even a logical fallacy. It’s a condition that describes the excuse we tell ourselves to avoid doing something. That thing can be minor or major; insignificant or lifechanging, and it usually goes something like this:“I need a new laptop before I can write my novel”.

“I need a new guitar before I can join a band”.

“I need a new suit before I start applying for jobs”.

“I need a vape pen before I give up smoking”.

It all boils down to “I need X before I can do Y”.

Photo by?@micheletakespictures?via?Twenty20

You could argue that you really do need those “tools” before you can do the things in question. After all, you’d have a hard time joining a band if you don’t own a guitar and it won’t be easy writing a novel without a laptop or computer.

The problem is that these tools are rarely necessary. The guitar excuse may be used by someone who already has several instruments and has been playing for years. After all, if you know how to play guitar, you already own a guitar.

The laptop excuse will come from someone who has an older laptop or a bigger computer.

And even if those things don’t exist, it’s not a logical excuse. A vape pen might make it easier to stop smoking, but you definitely don’t need it. A laptop might be easier to write a novel than a typewriter or a desktop computer, but it’s certainly not essential.

The insistence upon having a specific tool is not a rational one, it’s there purely because it gives us an excuse not to do that thing.

For instance, an aspiring novelist might tell themselves — and their family and friends — that they are going to write a novel one day. If they have all that they need to write that novel, it’s a pretty empty promise, and it begs the question, “So, why aren’t you doing it?”

Maybe it’s a question that their friends and family have actually asked them. Maybe they’re just subconsciously asking themselves the question, but if they can answer with, “I don’t have the equipment” or “I don’t have the time”, then it’s a viable excuse.

Or at least, it?seems?like a viable excuse.

They can keep telling themselves that excuse from here to eternity. In the meantime, they don’t lose hope of achieving their goals of being a novelist and they can convince their loved ones — and themselves — that they are working on it.

Is it Harmful?

The problem with the toolbox fallacy is that those roadblocks will always exist.

Photo by?@reinasierra?via?Twenty20

You “only” need a laptop now, but when you get that laptop, you’ll convince yourself that you need some writing software or that you need to finish a writing course. You’ll constantly place these obstacles in your way and the result is that you’ll never get what you want.

If you’re doing this for minor things in your life, it’s fine.

For instance, you might think, “I would love to make my own wine/cheese, but I don’t have the equipment or knowledge”. In truth, you know basic equipment won’t cost you more than $50 and that basic knowledge can be learned in a single YouTube video, but not making that commitment won’t hurt you or prevent you from reaching your goals.

(Unless, of course, your goals are to be an award-winning cheesemaker, in which case you have a long way to go.)

For major things, though, it’s a problem.

If you’re an “aspiring musician” who can’t write genre-defining music because you don’t have the latest $5,000 custom Gibson, the toolbox fallacy will almost certainly prevent you from attaining your dreams of rock stardom.

What Causes it?

The toolbox fallacy exists because people are scared of committing. They don’t push themselves to do something creative because they’re scared of being exposed and being criticized. They don’t launch a business because they dread the hard work and are worried about the risk.

Photo by?@place_to_hide?via?Twenty20

It’s okay to be anxious. It’s okay to be worried. These emotions are perfectly normal. The toolbox fallacy is just the excuse that stops you from facing the truth and realizing that you’re your own worst enemy, and your failures, inadequacies, and lack of productivity are not because you’re lacking certain tools.

If your goal is to?launch a new business, do it, and stop pretending that you need a certain amount of money, a new house, a car, or whatever other obstacles you’re placing in your way.

If you dream of being?a world-famous Rockstar, then start writing music and getting it out there. If musicians of old could write music with pens, paper, and rusty instruments, then you can do the same without the latest computers and custom instruments.

It really is that simple, and in the end, those excuses will leave you with a lifetime of regrets.