Random Thought on Decisiveness

The above image (apologies for stealing off the internet), titled “Shrike on a Withered Branch”, represents much of its creator’s personal attributes eloquently, efficiently, and most importantly, sincerely. However, it does a great disservice to the original painting, losing some of its subtle details and delicate but decisive brush strokes. You may not realize this, but the main branch, on which the bird rests on, was painted with a single brush stroke. How sure was the artist in their own skill and mastery of the brush, or anything else for that matter? The artist was definitely not in two minds when they painted this piece. It is almost aggressive in its execution, yet it seems balanced; displaying efficiency- both in technique and content, and a subtle, complete understanding and awareness of its totality with an almost singular focus of subject. Painted in monochrome India ink, sometime in the 1600’s, it still perfectly conveys the artist’s personality. You should not be surprised it was painted by one of the greatest samurai to have ever lived, Miyamoto Musashi.

With that, my random thought was that many people display indecisiveness, or doubt the decisions they do make. Napoleon Hill, once observed successful people are quick to make decisions, yet reluctantly, if at all, change their decision, whereas unsuccessful people take forever to decide or continually change their decisions, and never fully commit to it. This seems even more true in the world of health and fitness. How often do people generally change their workout routines? Try new diets and quit? Doubt their own fitness or diet approach every time they hear of someone else’s approach or opinion? Allow magazines to deepen their personal doubts?

To those who are very decisive, the above line of thinking is definitely alien, but there are a lot of people who live exactly this way. If all this sounds familiar, and you’re finding it difficult to come to a decision, try this; listen to your instinct and go with your gut decision, and leave it to play out. That means, stick with a diet and see it through; commit to a strength program and give it your honest all; learn to form your own educated opinion; or in general, envision your desired outcome, back yourself and go after it. In the gym it means sticking to a routine and not bouncing from one routine to another every couple of weeks, or worse, not really designing a routine in the first place.

It comes down to one question, what are your goals? Clarify them, write it out. Make the decision that you will obtain your goals. Judge your results by your goals. Did you or did you not achieve your goal? What were the results? What can you do better next time? If nothing else, decide on what you want and then act on it. Don’t worry too much how you’re going to do it, just remember that it’s a process, and that you’ll find the answers you need along the way. Making decisions is a skill, and like any other skill, needs practice to refine and eventually to master it.