“What killed the warrior?”
“Hesitation”
What kills most people’s dreams in life?
Hesitation!
Most people hesitate in doing the things that they know they should do.
Time to go to the gym?
They hesitate.
Time to start a business?
They hesitate.
Time to book a trip or plan an adventure?
They hesitate.
The Hagakure was a book written in the 1700s by a Samurai in Japan sharing stories about samurai life and teachings of Bushido (the warrior code).
There are several versions of the book containing different selections from it. I’ve read three different ones.
One of the main themes in the book is that a samurai must not hesitate.
A samurai that hesitates is weak and unable to do what must be done when it should be done.
Such a samurai is useless in battle.
Samurai that hesitated would often have to commit “Seppuku” or ritual suicide to protect their honor.
Obviously we don’t want to take things that far, but we should still be aware of the dangers of hesitation.
We often know when something will be a good opportunity.
We know that something will improve us or expand our lives.
We usually know what is good for us in the long run, but…
We often don’t act.
Why is this?
Why, when we know something is good for us or will make our life so much more interesting do we hesitate?
One reason is CHANGE.
We are wired not to like change.
We are wired to like what is safe, boring and has always worked for us.
Embracing change and trying something new requires energy and involves risk.
Evolutionarily expending excess energy and taking on extra risk could mean death to you and your loved ones.
Luckily we live in times where many many risks are nonexistent or greatly reduced.
We still have the remnant reactions of our ancestors wired into our minds though.
This remnant wiring leads to hesitation.
It leads to boring mediocrity.
If a friend suggests doing something new, how do you respond?
Do you hesitate?
Do you feel a rush of fear?
Are you quick to think up excuses not to take part in what they’re suggesting?
How much do you, and have you missed out on because of your hesitation?
Hesitation is often linked to procrastination.
It is not taking action, even when an action must be done.
It is us convincing ourselves to keep analyzing in order not to make a decision at that time.
As a result nothing gets done.
We become paralyzed into inaction.
Not-hesitating is a habit to train.
Limiting the amount of time it takes to say “YES” to something that is good for your growth is a goal you should have.
The more you do it, the easier it gets.
The more you do it, the more fun and interesting your life will be.
Hesitation will kill the vibrancy in your life.
It will keep you stuck and kill any growth.
There are times when hesitation does make sense if the timing just isn’t right or more analysis is needed.
Most of the time though we are making excuses and giving in to fear.
The time for anything is rarely perfect.
Circumstances are never 100% ideal.
Usually we just have to take steps forward in faith.
Do you hesitate too much?
We almost all do in some areas.
How are you going to kill hesitation before it kills your potential?
Life is too short to hesitate.
The true warrior kills hesitation.
Until Next Time, Stay Interesting…
All the best,
D
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