The Best Path

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Before jumping in my cold plunge this morning, I finished reading Chasing Daylight - the first person account of a man diagnosed with terminal cancer and how he chose to live out his remaining days. The voice abruptly changed from his to his wife's/widow's for the final

few chapters.

She shared how he approached his "transition" as he called it without fear. Again, I highlighted and underlined her words ... 

I had assisted dying patients in understanding that when you are motivated by fear, you are not able to see the best path - whether in death or in life.

As I sat in the cold for my prescribed 5 minutes, I meditated on the idea that fear is an ever constant presence in life .. and in some circumstances it can be a powerful motivator, but when it drives our decisions, it can and most likely will cloud our judgment and obscure the best path forward.

I’ve reflected and shared on this concept many times, particularly how fear impacts decision-making. One insight that stands out is how fear, when unchecked, can lead to paralysis by analysis. We overthink, we overplan, and we wait for the “perfect” moment to act, which may never come. This can be disastrous in a fast-paced business environment where agility and decisiveness are key to success.

To overcome this, I focus on a mindset shift. Rather than letting fear control my actions, I acknowledge it, learn from it, and then move forward with confidence. It’s about understanding that fear is a natural response, but it doesn’t have to be the guiding force. By embracing uncertainty and being willing to take risks, I open myself up to new possibilities and better paths that fear would have otherwise hidden from view.

In practice, this means making decisions based on data, experience, and intuition, rather than fear. It means stepping into my faith, trusting my instincts, and sometimes, just taking the leap. When I do this, I find that the best opportunities often lie just beyond the edge of fear.

How does fear impact your decision-making?

Have you noticed times when it held you back, and how did you overcome it?