04 April, 2018

Decide, and DO it!

Let's get to the nitty-gritty right away.

If you decide to tear off the band-aid, or pull out the tooth, or swallow the sword - whatever analogy floats your boat - don't wait around! When you've made up your mind, just do it!

Mind you, this bit of "Life Wisdom" is a lesson I'm still learning.

When I moved from Delaware to the Midwest, I gave 2 months notice at my job. This was so that I could get them through all the seasonal hiring and be sure everything was in place to hopefully go smoothly after I left. Of course, I also selectively used my sick days for packing.

When we moved from Indianapolis to Beijing, I gave even longer notice. I think it was 3 months. This was because there was SO MUCH prep work to do before moving - visas, selling/donating almost everything, goodbyes, packing - and honestly, I didn't want to have to hide the news!

Stretching out big decisions may be necessary, may be kind, but the problem is Senioritis.

Remember your senior year of high school? How you were so itching to get on with your life, and the only thing that kept you going was the anticipation of graduation day? We (I'm assuming this is universal) had mentally checked out and were only going through the motions. Same in life.

If possible, I recommend making the decision and ripping off the band-aid as quickly as possible. You know a big change is coming, just leap into it!

Brett and I dated for about a year before we started talking about marriage. Just talking. We knew we were headed there. Then one Saturday, I mentioned my sisters would be in the area the following week, and he suggested we get married, since they'd be in town! We told immediate family only, and did it. THEN we announced it on Facebook.

Doing it that way, we avoided all the unwanted, unsolicited advice, and also avoided a lot of the stress of planning an event. I wish I could do this with moving. 

Have you ever done it - decided to make a major change, and did it without delay? How did it go?

(If you're visiting from A to Z, please include the name of your blog as it is on the Master List so I can return the favor!)

13 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your post today. Sounded like a stress free wedding. Just do it sounds like a great motto as we let ourselves get bogged down all the time. Visiting from
    If I Only Had A Time Machine


    Visiting from
    If I Only Had A Time Machine

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    1. So stress-free. My sister even ran interference when she heard talk of decorating the car.

      I'm intrigued by your blog title! I'll be by today.

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  2. I think life is a combination of bandaid decisions and longer term plans. Sometimes it'd be nice to act on the spur of the moment, but we have to do the right thing and let others know. We're in the middle of my father-in-law dying on Monday and his funeral on Friday - all the preparation and letting people know so they can attend etc takes time (but man.....I just want it finished!)

    Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
    D for Don’t Give Up

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    1. You're exactly right. I love to jump into decisions, but I also like to take my time and do it right. When I was apartment hunting, I knew instinctively that I wanted the first one I saw, but did my work to visit at least 2 more before confirming that choice.

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  3. I married a man who sounds like you. He considers for quite some time, but once he makes up his mind, watch out! The time frame will accelerate rapidly!

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  4. I'm not sure I dive right in but I do follow through with my decisions pretty easily. Weekends In Maine

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  5. The one that comes to mind was deciding not to go back to a 9 to 5 job and keep trying my hand at freelance writing. I've commuted down the hall for more than 30 years.

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    1. That is awesome! That's what my husband is hoping to work up to.

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  6. I can't think of a specific instance, but my entire life I've been a procrastinator. Even with things I know I want I hesitate. It's because of terrible indecisiveness. At least I think it's indecisiveness.

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    1. A life coach might suggest a fear of success?
      Little things - the intermediate steps - are often hard for me.

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  7. So funny, I did the opposite for D--dally!

    I admire your follow-through without overthinking. And your bravery!

    @IsaLeeWolf
    A Bit to Read

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    1. Big things are easy for me, I think. Little mundane tasks - do I go to the store or not? - take days to resolve!

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I enjoy a good debate. Feel free to shake things up. Tell me I'm wrong. Ask me why I have such a weird opinion. ...or, just laugh and tell how this relates to you and your life.