Day 127 - Hesitation is the mother of frustration. Do this instead...(1,000 days content creation challenge)
Ethan Musolini
CEO Success Africa, Executive Coach, HR Consultant, Author & Motivational Speaker
When I was in my 20s, I saw a beautiful lady looking at me closely, I hesitated to connect and she passed me by. During the same season, I saw another lady sitting on the bench and I fancied her. I decided to go to the bathroom to gather some 'guts' and then return to talk to her in courageous and not nervous mode. By the time I returned, she had disappeared.
I used to be awkward and nervous around ladies until I decided to invest time, energy and resources to master myself and overall interpersonal communication with strangers. Now I am comfortable talking to any stranger - lady or gentleman.
Back to my overall hesitations. I can recall business and personal opportunities I missed because of hesitating.
When I was a teenager, I overheard a story that stuck with me…
One day, a gentleman went to a neighbour's place to borrow a bicycle. Let's call him Gentleman A.
When he arrived, he decided to chit chat. He even got the bonus of a cup of tea and the conversations roamed around family and village events.
While chatting, another gentleman came walking quickly. Let's call him Gentleman B. He just said hello and jumped straight into asking to borrow a bicycle from the same neighbour that Gentleman A was chatting with.
The neighbour right away okayed his request "Yeah, sure, you may take it. It's right there at the mango tree"
Gentleman B - Thank you very much
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Neighbour - You are welcome
Gentleman A - Oh, I had also come to ask for the same - your bicycle
Neighbour - Oh, sorry I wish you had told me earlier. Unfortunately I cannot change my promise now
Gentleman A was crestfallen.
The moral of the story is that hesitation is the mother of frustration. Over thinking is the enemy to progressing.
How should you go about all this?
My coach advises, don't think, just do. Meaning, if you feel like asking, ask. If you feeling like taking action, act. No thinking. No hesitating. This will save you from potential frustrations and regrets.