The two paths to failure and stay off them.

You get on the path to failure in two ways:

1. React or hurry without proper preparation.
2. Plan and debate beyond the decisive moment.

The first fails due to lack of understanding, the second due to lack of action. Stay off the two paths to failure by answering this simple set of questions.

First, which decision do you need to make next:

• What to do?
• How to do it?
• Whether to do it?
• When to do it?

You may need to make all those decisions. When that is the case, start with “What to do?”. Do not move on until you are clear on which of those decisions you need to make next.

Once you are clear on the decision you need to make:

• How much more thinking is absolutely necessary?
• What does the thinking need to reveal or resolve?
• When is it time to make the decision?
• What is necessary to understand in order to make the decision?
• When is it time to take action?

Try it out this week on decisions you need to make, especially decisions you’ve been avoiding. Let me know what this process reveals for you.

Brick by brick. Do the work.