When in Doubt: DO IT

Almost everyone is familiar with the phrase “When in doubt, do without”.

There are times that this makes sense, and times that this doesn’t, but I believe in today’s world most people are too cautious.

Humans as a species are generally very cautious. Our early ancestors lived in a less sanitized world full of deadly predators, deadly insects, deadly plants, and other deadly humans. If you did or said the wrong thing you risked getting kicked out of your tribe or being murdered. If you ate the wrong mushroom you might get violently sick or die. We exist today because our ancestors were nervous and cautious for the most part.

In today’s world most of the significant threats of the past do not exist. More people die of poor diets full of sugar, bad fats and devoid of nutrients than from poisonous plants or carnivorous beasts. Most of the things we are meant to fear aren’t legitimately worth fearing (unless we are actually in a jungle or roaming the African Savannah.

Usually if something is obviously dangerous then there is no “doubt” and we know not to “do it”. It is those things that we have to give more thought to where we should consider doing more of them.

Should you go on that roller coaster?

Do it.

Should you skydive?

Do it.

Should you try that new food?

Do it.

Should you talk to that interesting person over there?

Do it.

Should you book that vacation?

Do it.

Should you start that business?

Do it. TODAY.

Should you….

Yes. Do it. Don’t get in the habit of putting things off. Don’t get in the habit of giving in to fear. Last time I checked everyone dies sometime. If you die from something stupid and rare then I guess the universe is trying to tell you something.

“A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.” ― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar.

To live an interesting life you need to do more. To grow as a person you need to start doing things that your previous self would feel doubts about and then would not have done those things.

Save “when in doubt, do without” for your grandmother.