"He's powerful and he's fast, but precision beats power, timing beats speed."
This is what UFC fighter Conor McGregor said after knocking out the previous featherweight champion, José Aldo—a legendary fighter with a 25-1 record at the time—in only 13 seconds, ten years before this post. It was one of the quickest fights in the history of the UFC.
The application of this concept in fighting should be clear to most people, especially if they have any practice in martial arts. In boxing, this simply means "punching at the right place at the right time."
However, the philosophy that inspired these words could be useful in many different fields.
Precision Beats Power
This idea is akin to the "work smarter, not harder" motto. It emphasizes the importance of accuracy and efficiency over brute strength and hard work.
Similarly, the saying "If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable," attributed to Seneca, highlights the significance of having clear goals. Or "measure twice, cut once" as carpenters say.
Too often, we blame ourselves for not doing enough, or exhaust ourselves doing too much. But our power is limited, and it must be applied in the right way to be truly effective, or it will be wasted.
In other words, knowing precisely what you want to achieve and how to achieve it is more important than merely making a significant effort.
Once you get you plans in order, you can then apply yourself to make them come to fruition.
Timing Beats Speed
This is simply the same principle applied across time: do not rush your actions, but take them in the right moment.
In personal development, patience and constancy is key to achieve your goals. If you have never trained your body, a 24-hour workout will probably harm you, but spreading the same 24 hours over a month will certainly yield better results - and less pain.
In finance, some people believe you can "beat the market" by buying the perfect stock before anyone else. This is unlikely, and even if you do find the perfect stock for a great price, remember "the market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent".
With the right timing, even "wrong" decisions can work in your favor. A market bubble leaves lots of bankrupt investors, while a few get rich because they got out in the right time.
Conversely, you should not postpone important goals to unspecified dates. There is a cost to being too early but there is also a cost to being too late. Many people wait to marry or have children until they have the perfect job or financial situation, but this creates its own challenges. Likewise, a dream vacation might be better enjoyed when you're more healthy and youthful.
Remember that you are mortal. Find the right time, but do it before the bell rings.
Limitations
There are few downsides to precision, but there is such a thing as planning too much. You might never find the perfect moment or the perfect plan, and perfectionism might become a bigger hurdle then imprecision.
Once you know you're headed in the right direction, it might be better to get moving than to take yet another look at the map. In fitness and finance, some investment is almost always better than none. And even the smartest plan may require some hard work to function properly.
Practical advice
Get your priorities straight. Put your goals in the Eisenhower box before you start taking action. Read How Much Land Does a Man Require by Leo Tolstoy. You are not too late. The best time to begin is now. Do not postpone your actions when you know you are in the right direction.
