There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos – James Hightower
“My decision is maybe—and that’s final.” Is this you? Being decisive is essential for a successful life. If you deny yourself commitment, what will you do with your life? Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with a decision.
Choice, not chance, determines destiny. Too many people go through life not knowing what they want, but feeling sure they don’t have it. Herbert Prochnow said, “There is a time when we must firmly choose the course which we will follow, or the relentless drift of events will make the decision for us.”
Too many people are like wheelbarrows, trailers, or canoes. They need to be pushed, pulled or paddled. You’re either moving other people to decisions or they’re moving you. Decide to do something now to make your life better. The choice is yours.
David Ambrose remarked, “If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don’t you have achieved half your failure.” Lou Holtz said, “If you don’t make a total commitment to whatever you are doing then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It’s tough enough getting the boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his life jacket on.”
The moment you definitely commit yourself, God moves too. All sorts of things happen to help you that never would have otherwise occurred. Edgar Roberts said, “Every human mind is a great slumbering power until awakened by a keen desire and a definite resolution to do.”
Kenneth Blanchard observed, “There is a difference between interests and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” Lack of decisiveness has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability.
Maurice Witzer said, “You seldom get what you go after unless you know in advance what you want.” Indecision often gives an advantage to the other person because they did their thinking beforehand. Helen Keller said, “Science may have found a cure for most evil; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all—the apathy of human beings.” Joshua encourages, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Josh. 24:15). Don’t leave a decision for tomorrow that needs to be made today.
Bertrand Russel said, “Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile.” Joseph Newton discerned, “Not what we have, but what we use, not what we see, but what we choose – these are things that mar or bless human happiness.” Remember, don’t be a “middle-of-the-roader” because the middle of the road is the worst place to try to go forward. Today, decide on your dream.
by John Mason.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.