Seize the Moment: Don’t Hesitate, Execute

The difference between winning and losing isn’t always skill—it’s timing. I learned that firsthand standing on second base in a college game we couldn’t afford to lose.

I had studied the pitcher. He had a pattern:

• Look at me. Hold for two seconds.
• Look home. Deep breath.
• Look back at me one more time.
• After his second look home—he’d lift his leg and throw.

I knew I could steal third. But I didn’t have the steal sign from my coach. And there’s one unwritten rule in baseball: never make the first or last out at third.

I hesitated for a moment. What if I was wrong? What if I got thrown out?

But then I thought—what if I was right?

The next time he went through his routine, I took off. Stole third. Scored that inning. We won the game by one run.

Hesitation Kills Momentum

In business, just like baseball, hesitation can mean missed opportunities.

• That prospect you waited too long to follow up with? Someone else called first.
• The high-performer you didn’t promote? They took a job elsewhere.
• The investment you knew was right? Now it’s too late.

We all want certainty. A green light. A steal sign. But the truth is—preparation meets execution. The best leaders, salespeople, and entrepreneurs don’t wait for permission to capitalize on an opportunity. They trust their preparation, read the situation, and go.

Key Lessons

Preparation creates confidence. I stole third because I did my homework. In business, preparation gives you the edge when the opportunity comes.

Trust your instincts. If you’ve done the work, you don’t need to second-guess yourself. Be decisive.

Momentum matters. Hesitation kills progress. When you see an opening, move.

Your "Steal Third" Moment

We all have those moments—the ones where we know we should act but hesitate. The key is recognizing when opportunity is knocking and having the confidence to move.

So, what’s your ‘steal third’ moment? That time you saw the opening and went for it? Let’s hear it. Drop it in the comments.