Don’t Think So Much!

By: Robert L. Wallace

During my football days, I spent countless hours buried in my playbook, watching game footage, and perfecting my technique. I was determined to be the smartest player on the field, knowing every coverage, every audible, and every possible scenario. Yet, when game time arrived, my coach would constantly yell at me:

"Wallace, stop thinking!"

At first, this command sounded absurd. Wasn’t thinking the very thing that separated good players from great ones? But over time, I realized what my coach was really saying: trust your instincts. He saw that I was overanalyzing, hesitating, and trying to intellectually process everything instead of letting my training take over.

That lesson has stuck with me throughout my life. In business, in leadership, and in decision-making, we often disregard and devalue our God-given instincts, subordinating them to our recently acquired knowledge. But time and time again, the greatest breakthroughs come not from pure intellect but from that deep, persistent voice inside us—the one that knows what to do before our minds can even rationalize it.

The Power of Instinct in Sports, War, and Business

1. Michael Jordan in the Clutch When the game was on the line, Jordan didn’t overthink his next move—he reacted. Years of practice had conditioned his body and mind to act on instinct, allowing him to sink game-winning shots with ice-cold precision.
2. Navy SEALs and the "One Second Rule" Special forces operators are trained to trust their gut in life-or-death situations. If they hesitate or overthink during an operation, it could cost lives. Their rigorous training builds muscle memory so that in the moment, instinct—not analysis—guides them to make the right call.
3. Steve Jobs and Apple’s Breakthroughs Jobs was notorious for following his intuition, whether in product design, hiring, or business strategy. He once said, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." His instincts led to revolutionary innovations that changed the world.

How to Unleash the Power of Your Instincts

1. Prepare Relentlessly, Then Let Go The key to trusting your gut is preparation. Train hard, study deeply, and master your craft—but when the moment arrives, let your instincts take over. Overthinking breeds hesitation, and hesitation leads to failure.
2. Listen to the Quiet Voice in Your Gut Your intuition is like a muscle—it strengthens with use. If something feels off about a business deal, a person, or an opportunity, pay attention. That "feeling" is often your subconscious recognizing patterns before your conscious mind can.
3. Take Action Before Doubt Creeps In The longer you deliberate, the louder fear and uncertainty become. When your gut tells you to move, move! Trust that the preparation you’ve put in will guide you.

Conclusion

Thinking is a gift, but overthinking is a curse. Whether on the football field, in battle, or in the boardroom, the most successful people know when to turn off their brains and trust their instincts.

So the next time you're faced with a critical decision, remember my coach’s words:

"Stop thinking!"

And just go.