Choosing a Side: The Key to Progress in Life and Business
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Chapter 1: The Dangers of Inaction
For an extended period, I found myself trapped in a stagnant situation. My obsession with becoming the fittest version of myself led me to create vision boards filled with entrepreneurs I admired. My inbox was bombarded with inspirational content, and I frequently attended workshops focused on becoming an exceptional founder.
Despite accumulating a vast reservoir of theoretical knowledge, I lacked practical experience. The quest for preparation is endless, particularly in today's world, where information overload is a constant challenge. No amount of videos on cooking, parenting, entrepreneurship, or writing can substitute for real-life experience. Just as you can't truly understand what it feels like to be Lewis Hamilton from a simulator, only he knows the journey it took to get there!
My journey involved pushing my startup to generate five-figure revenues, achieving four-figure earnings on Medium, and crafting three boosted stories over two years, which ultimately led me to a pivotal realization: to make progress in life, you must choose a side.
Sitting on the fence is uncomfortable, and for far too long, I tried to commit to everything, which resulted in committing to nothing.
Section 1.1: Understanding Fear
The fear of commitment is a universal experience; it’s a fundamental aspect of being human. We naturally fear the unknown. However, it's essential to differentiate between perceived fears and real fears. Brian King discusses this distinction in his work "Taking it Easy."
Scenario 1: You’re stuck in traffic and worry about the potential consequences, leading to stress and anxiety.
Scenario 2: You're confronted by a bear, and your immediate instinct is to react—fight, flee, or freeze.
A lot of what keeps us immobilized on the fence is not genuine fear but perceived fear. These perceived fears can significantly influence our decision-making processes, preventing us from committing to one path and causing us to remain stagnant.
For instance, launching a new business often involves overcoming various fears, such as:
- Fear of embarrassment
- Fear of missing opportunities
- Fear of being an impostor
- Fear of rejection
- Fear of failure
Being trapped in this loop of fear hinders our ability to choose a side.
Section 1.2: The Distractions of Ambition
I found myself pursuing three different career paths, five fitness objectives, numerous hobbies, and several lifestyle changes simultaneously, all of which became distractions. My extensive list of aspirations for 2023 yielded little progress, primarily because I was unfocused and indecisive.
The moment I decided to commit to one path, everything changed.
Chapter 2: Making the Commitment
When I chose to focus on writing, I shifted my mindset entirely. I stopped worrying about when success would come—whether in the form of applause, followers, or financial gain. I also dismissed thoughts of judgment about my writing or the fear that it might not yield results for months or years.
Instead, I began to consider:
- What’s the worst outcome if I try and fail?
- Would I regret not attempting this in the next 1, 3, or even 5–10 years?
- Can I learn something valuable from this experience?
This shift in perspective helped me determine my path. Writing brings me immense joy; it inspires me to walk, read, and strive to be a thought leader. It connects me with others and makes me feel truly alive!
None of this would have come to fruition had I not committed to this journey.
Not making a decision is often the most detrimental choice we can make for ourselves. Frequently, we know the steps needed to progress from point A to point B. I understood that achieving my writing ambitions required focus, discipline, and a genuine interest in refining my craft.
Yet, I allowed my fears to hold me back, spending both time and money on courses instead of simply choosing to invest in myself. These distractions, rooted in perceived fears, kept me from fully embracing my journey.
Ultimately, the only way to achieve progress in life is to pick a side and move forward!
I am the founder of Geeks and Experts, focusing on PR for startups, founder wellness, immigrant founders, and the art of writing. Connect with me on Medium, Twitter, or LinkedIn!