I’ve always been enamored and conflicted by Nike’s slogan: “just do it”.
On the one hand, I admire the simplicity and conviction that emanates from the three words.
On the other hand, it always felt a bit rash:
What do you mean just do it?
What if I’m not ready?
What if now isn’t a good time?
What if I need more information?
Recently I’ve been talking to friends and colleagues about big life decisions, and the following finally occurred to me:
We’re rarely 100% ready or certain when it comes to important decisions.
The difference between choosing to act on 0% certainty and 100% certainty is the difference complete recklessness and no action at all: productive action happens somewhere in between.
So the question is, at what point — at what level of confidence — are you willing to take a leap?
Is it 30%? Is it 60%? Is it 70%?
Really take the time to internalize what that feels like.
Once you reach that threshold, then, yeah, it really is a matter of just doing it.
You can’t think your way forward.
Yours Truly