The Decision Elf. Have you seen him?

Often times we look back at the shoulda coulda wouldas. We stay in certain situations way longer than we should because we are afraid of what might come next. We talk a big game about all the things we would do…if only (I had more time, more money, no debt). But those are excuses and they will always be there.

To be thirty days away from being unable to pay rent personally and ninety days away from lights out professionally for three years takes its toll.

Here’s a post by guy who didn’t wait, and it wasn’t easy, but it was inspirational. Read on for a few more highlights from this article.

In a post on medium.com's IMHO column, Andy Dunn writes about his inspiring experiences with not taking the safe choice. He recalls being visited by the "decision elf"

I’ve never seen this little guy myself, but the Decision Elf Andy talks about has shown up for me in other forms. A missed job opportunity that I didn’t think I was qualified for so I didn’t send in my resume. A chance to live abroad that I waited to long to commit to and by the time I did the window had closed.

This happens to all of us. Like Andy says, these decisions sneak up on you,

Sometimes it shows up annoying early…Other times the Decision comes rudely late

We waste so much time thinking about all the reasons that this could be a bad decision that by the time we realize it’s something you actually should do the ship has sailed. And by then all we are left with is wishing we acted on our gut

Given what’s become of my life, I literally cannot imagine it without having made the two decisions I did. But neither was a no-brainer at all at the time.

This isn’t meant to be a manifesto calling for everyone to quit their jobs and go soul searching in some third world country. But it should make you think. When was the last time you had the chance to do something and you didn’t take it? And of course, Andy’s story is just one of many. Your story may not turn out to be as good as his.

the only regrets octogenarians have are for the risks not taken.

He's right, by the time you're retired in Del Boca Vista, FL, all you'll have are the memories of the things you did and the things you didn't do.

You can read the full piece here

3 Comments
 

How about this:

"You are traveling down a road and come to a fork in the road. Two guys are standing there, and one of them will always tell you a lie, and one of them will always tell you the truth. Unfortunately, you don’t know which guy is which, and only one of the two roads leads to the town you need to get to. Assuming both guys know which road leads to the town, what one question can you ask to find out which path to take?"

Winners bring a bigger bag than you do. I have a degree in meritocracy.
 

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