Make Moves or Excuses

I have a confession. I help groups collaborate to make good decisions for their organizations, but sometimes I struggle to make decisions myself.

Many people who know me describe me as a risk-taker. But I often reframe that characterization slightly, choosing instead to describe myself as a “calculated risk-taker.” To me adding “calculated” matters. People see a risk I take (that they can’t imagine taking), but they don’t see all the thinking, planning, and mitigating that goes on beforehand.

At times, I suffer from analysis paralysis. I want to make the exact right move. I weigh options. I write pros and cons. I try the Rubber Band method. I even map out an Evaluation Matrix in my head.

I like a steady state. But I want more impact. These two forces constantly war in my mind.

I need to see the end in my mind before I jump. I want all my questions answered to my satisfaction. Don’t misunderstand me, it is not wrong to envision a desired future state or define what success will look like. The problem occurs when I get stuck in the analysis loop trying to work out every detail before starting.

Sometimes you just need to jump. Learning doesn’t happen on the ledge it happens when you leap. You simply cannot know everything that will happen until you start moving.

I was reading a book this morning that described the difference between playing not to lose and playing to win. Playing not to lose is about safety and comfort. It is about protecting the status quo. It’s defensive. Playing to win is assertive. It is about taking charge. It’s offensive (in a good way).

I’ll leave you with some lyrics from Andy Mineo’s hit song “You Can’t Stop Me.”

You have two choices: “Make moves or make excuses.”

Choose wisely.

Inspiration

Batterson, M. (2008). Wild Goose Chase. New York: Multnomah