Take Action to Move Through Doubt
March 19, 2009 by Mary Ellen
Doubt immediately washed over me. I gasped for breath, aware that I was physically reacting to the unknown. Awareness didn’t stop the experience.
“What if I can’t do it? How will I make time for this? Why would I do this? What if something happens?”
A hundred scenarios rushed through my mind. I saw myself lying by the side of the road, injured. I imagined flat tires, broken wheel spokes and other disasters I’d never encountered. Backing out of my agreement suddenly became an option.
I signed the check, completed the application and sealed it. For no apparent reason I felt better. Taking action made all the difference.
Over-thinking
I’d come up against an unknown situation: could I actually complete a 75-mile bike ride? Did I want to try? A thousand excuses offered me opt outs. Moving forward meant getting out of my head and choosing an action.
When you’re in the throes of uncertainty, fear paralyzes.
You face decisions daily. Questions threaten overwhelm: How will customers react? What’s the best thing to do? Should I introduce new products? What if the price is wrong? If I invest now will I get a return?
In many situations, over-thinking becomes a culprit, creating analysis paralysis that situation where nothing happens. When every decision is fraught with “if’s, a constant exploration of the possibilities yields only more “if’s.”
For me, facing the fear means acting through doubt. Once I sealed the envelope, I sent a signal to my mind. The debate began to fade.
Pedal your way through the challenge
Do you have a challenge to act through?
Signing up for the race was no big deal. I gave my verbal commitment to two friends and thought little of it. We lined up a training schedule and agreed to submit the registration form.
A week went by, maybe two. After a 35-mile solitary ride, I completed the official entry form.
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