Ready. Fire. Aim.

(Stop overthinking…everything)

“A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.”—Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

Beginner’s mind is not a fancy label. It’s how we should live our lives.

Imagine a time of blind ignorance, not informed by what you’ve read or others have told you. You may have to go a long way back. At that point, you didn’t think. No, you acted (on instinct).

The trouble now is that we want to know that what we do will produce a certain result, but for many people, in whatever space they occupy, they simply can’t know if what they plan to do has any more chance of success than anything else. But, in the process, that doesn’t stop them from overthinking…everything.

If I look back on my life, I’m absolutely sure that if I’d sat down to think about every permutation, good or bad, I’d never would have done half the things I’ve done — some (much) better than others.

But it’s not just the big things, it’s apposite to every aspect of our lives: meeting people, going to new places, eating food, exploring new areas and faith. Actually, if you think about it, any time the inner critic chides you for thinking you can do something new, it’s likely that you wilt on the spot and never go further. Just imagine, though, if you applied beginner’s mind. I’m sure your inner critic would quickly recongise that you can’t fear something that to all intents and purpose is without meaning, i.e. it’s not good or bad.

If you’re prone to self doubt or procrastination—that pretty much covers everyone!— then there’s no point listening to your lower self (what does it know anyway?). No, instead, apply beginner’s mind which in most cases will see you act, and act now, in the moment.

Oh sure, you’re going to screw up a few times but trust me you’ll feel so much better about yourself and your life, knowing that the pull you felt wasn’t overturned on the slightest negative reaction.

One other point. Ignore what others tell you. Act. Don’t think. From where I sit, that’s the best advice I can give my higher Self.