April 24, 2008

Boats and Blink

Conventional wisdom states the best way to start something is to simply start it. Often we deliberate over things, over-think them, examine the downsides, the what ifs.

It has been documented that the people who get the most done and frankly have the most success make quick decisions. If you've read Blink by Malcolm Gladwell you're aware of this. How often has your initial gut decision been correct? But most of us step back, think about it, hum and haw and all the while miss opportunities.

You may have heard the story of a man who is standing on his roof during a flood. In the course of a couple of hours, two men come by in boats offering to rescue him. Both times, the man says without hesitation "Oh no, God will send a sign."

Once at the proverbial pearly gates, the man stands in front of God and asks why he wasn't saved, why he wasn't sent 'a sign'! At which point, God says "I sent you two boats!"

Opportunities come from the strangest places and accidents are less the cause. So the next time you think something strange has happened, remember...

It may be one of your boats.

km


 
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