The Two Things That Hold Us Back, part 2

In situations where progress is needed, we are most often held back by two things: either a lack of clarity or a lack of courage.

In our last post, we discussed the relationship of clarity to progress. Finding our bearings enables us to go further, faster, in exactly the right direction. We discover purpose before we define the process. We ask “What’s the point?” so we can ask “What’s the next step?” A lack of clarity can leave you circling a cul-de-sac. There is incredible power in knowing exactly what our next step is.

But knowing what to do and doing it are two different things.

It’s almost impossible to exaggerate the gravity of that statement. The most subtle truths will give us the most traction if we lean into them.

There are many times when we don’t know what to do. But just as often we don’t take action on what we DO know. Clarity is important, but it won’t solve all of our problems.

When it comes to thinking (and living) strategically, clarity must be accompanied by courage. Clarity is when we know what to do, courage is when we do it in spite of our fears.

Once we’ve clearly defined what is next for us (or our families, or our businesses, or our ministry), several monsters can appear. One is the monster of inaction fueled by “paralysis analysis”: we are so concerned with the details that we fail to act. Another is the monster of fear: our next steps may upset someone or be misunderstood. And then there’s the monster of distraction: we delay moving forward because there is too much going on and certainly there will be an easier, more convenient time to take action. Eventually.

Conquering these monsters is simple but not easy. The antidote is courage, found when we remind ourselves what is to be lost by refusing to act and gained when we take action.

Clarity and courage are both fairly inert by themselves, but when combined they form a powerful one-two punch. The art of leadership is holding to each of these ideals with an equal amount of tenacity.

Clarity by itself does not often produce change. But clarity accompanied by courage can change the world.

Why are you not moving forward? Is it a lack of direction, or a lack of action?