Article Rundown

• Are you an over-corrector?
• Too much of a good thing
• Over-correcting daily movements
• The issue with over-correcting
• The balance of learning and applying

Are You an Over-Corrector?

In this video and article, we explore the concept of being an “over-corrector“—what it means and how it can impact your progress in various areas of life. Have you ever learned something new and found yourself overanalyzing it to the point of frustration? Or perhaps you’ve discovered a new technique and, in your eagerness to master it, over-applied it to the point where it starts working against you? If so, you might be an over-corrector. In this article, I will provide examples to help you identify whether you tend to overcorrect and how to avoid the pitfalls of this behavior.

The Dangers of Too Much of a Good Thing

The saying “too much of a good thing” often holds true. For example, while a pinch of table salt can enhance the flavor of a dish, too much can ruin it. Similarly, even if you enjoy something like sardines, which can be salty, excessive salt may be beneficial in moderation but harmful if overdone, depending on the goal. The principle of moderation applies not just to food but to behavior, especially when it comes to personal development and skills.

A common tendency among Type A personalities—those who are driven, ambitious, and perfectionistic—is to overcorrect. For example, if a Type A individual is told to do five reps of an exercise, they may push themselves to do ten. This behavior can extend to learning new things: once they acquire new knowledge, they often apply it too rigidly, thinking it must be integrated into every aspect of their lives. This excessive focus on the details can lead to the neglect of the bigger picture.

Over-Correction in Action: From Lifting to Daily Movements

In physical health and fitness, over-correcting can manifest in various ways. Take, for instance, someone who learns about proper spine hygiene to alleviate back pain. They may overapply the concept with good intentions, becoming excessively rigid in their movements. This could lead to a robotic or unnatural way of moving—especially during exercises like the back squat. While being mindful of form is essential, overdoing it by overcorrecting can be counterproductive.

This pattern often occurs after learning something new, like a technique for squatting or deadlifting. When we experience this shift in understanding, we may fall victim to the Dunning-Kruger Effect, which occurs when someone gains a small amount of knowledge in a subject and suddenly believes they are an expert. I had experienced this myself several times—first, when I began lifting in 1994, then when I got serious about powerlifting in 1999, and again in 2013 when I delved into back pain and core training with Dr. Stuart McGill. In each case, my initial enthusiasm led to a tendency to over-correct, thinking that more effort would yield faster results.

The Problem with Over-Correction

The main issue with over-correcting is that it can be more harmful than helpful. For example, in the case of back pain, it’s crucial to learn how to brace your abdominals properly; they must be tuned for the demands required, not over-stiffened for the sake of stiffening as hard as you can.. However, it’s important to remember that bracing should be treated like a dimmer switch rather than a full-on toggle. Bracing too hard, especially for light tasks, can cause more harm than good. When lifting heavy, such as deadlifting 500 pounds, maximal bracing is necessary, but it’s important to dial it back for everyday activities. 

This lesson, which I learned working closely with Dr. McGill, applies to many areas of life. Overdoing something—whether it’s core bracing or any other technique—can lead to problems, especially when the intensity is misapplied to tasks that don’t require it.

The Balance of Learning and Applying

The key takeaway is that learning new things is valuable, but overapplying them can lead to unintended consequences; just because you’ve discovered a new technique, whether for building muscle, lifting weights, or managing back pain, doesn’t mean that more of it is always better. Overdoing a new skill or strategy can result in overtraining, injury, or burnout, setting you back even further.

When you learn something new, aim to apply the “least effective dose.” This means finding the minimum effort required to see positive results—not as much as possible—and gradually increasing intensity as needed. As you continue to learn and grow, you can fine-tune your approach to ensure you get the benefits without overcorrecting.

Conclusion 

In summary, it’s essential to recognize the signs of being an over-corrector and understand the risks associated with overdoing things. By staying mindful of how you apply new knowledge and striving for balance, you can avoid the trap of overcorrection. Remember: learning is a journey, and moderation is key to long-term success.

BRIAN DOES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COACHING!

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