Get Unstuck From Uncertainty

One of the greatest military heroes was General Norman Schwarzkopf, known for his lightning fast decision making.

But he didn’t start that way.

Early in “Stormin” Norman’s career, his mentor, a general in the Army, was in a meeting to make a crucial decision, a decision that had been bouncing back and forth for 10 years straight. A decision that would forever change the structure of the army. Piles of documents… paperwork… and analysis sat on the table in front of the group.

Finally the general made his decision.

Schwarzkopf was shocked. There was no possible way the general had read all the documents and all the research. There were too many moving parts to the decision. So Schwarzkopf mustered up the courage to question the general:

“There is so much information here, there’s so much to consider, no one’s really going to know for sure. How the hell could you just make that decision like that?

The general replied:

“This has been a decision that no one’s been willing to make for 10 years. The best minds have been on it and they can’t decide, so you know what? We need to pick one and do it. Decisions are power and I’m here to make them. That’s what I’m in this position for.”

Schwarzkopf then asked, What if you’re wrong?

The general said, If I’m wrong we’ll find out quicker, and if I’m right the job will be done.

Schwarzkopf always remembered that lesson.

A bad decision or the wrong decision is almost always better than a lack of decision. Because at least a decision sets you in motion. And once you’ve picked up speed it’s much easier to course correct than to get going from a dead-stop.

Plus, an interesting thing happens when you keep moving and keep your momentum:

​Incredible things happen independently of those you personally create.
When you’re pushing hard on Door A, someone or something opens Door B.
Often, when you look through Door B, what’s behind it is much better than
What you were going after in the first place. However, you wouldn’t have seen Door B open
If you hadn’t been in the hall pushing on Door A.
-Jack M. Zufelt
 
So no matter if you haven’t gotten the traction you’d like to this year… or have fallen off the wagon completely… use today’s message as an excuse to hop back to it…
And push on doors again.
 
Kelan Ern
Mind-Body Coach