When we begin our work some of my clients operate under the illusion that having more options is always the best situation. Further, they fear that if they close down on any option that they are denying themselves possibilities.
However, keeping too many options open means that you are not focussed and that you can’t put all your energies behind a particular course of action. What’s more unless you are, for example, a surgeon or an air traffic controller, most of your decisions if not successful will not be fatal. So you can allow yourself to take a risk. If you get it wrong, recalibrate and learn what not to do as you craft a more successful strategy.
I suggest you heed the advice of W.H. Murray in his 1951 book entitled The Scottish Himalayan Expedition.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!’ ”
What are you going to focus on? How bold are you going to be? What resources are you going to harness to achieve your desired result?
Send me a reply below or call me on UK +44(0) 20 7226 3611 or + 44 (0) 7952 068133 to discuss.
You might also find it useful to read Mindset: How You Can Fulfill Your Potential (2012) by Carol Dweck. She explains the advantages of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.
