Lao Tzu was a pretty smart dude.  (He’s a guy, right?)  I enjoy many of his quotes, and today this one is speaking to me:

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

From a work and career standpoint, I often know what needs to get done but then resist that understanding and do something else.  There is a special magic in following your instincts.  A power in making decisions and then acting on those decisions.

I have a sign near my computer that reads, “Decide then Act!”.  Lately my process has been, “Decide, then think about many possible scenarios, then analyze, then doubt the decision, fear the possible consequences, and finally go back to the drawing board to make a new decision.”  It’s been like playing a game of chess, where you decide the move you want to make and then never actually do it.

I’m working to let things flow more naturally and take courageous actions rather than live in a cloud of self-doubt and fear.