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Don’t think about it, just do it.  That was what my daughter in law said to me, when they came to visit with the grandkids, and we were at a swimming hole with a large rock from which people were jumping.  She is almost two years cancer free, and after that terrifying journey of being faced with the reality of mortality, she gained a new lease on life.  She said she wants to do things with the kids and her husband, and have fun without over analyzing.  I thought that was pretty good advice; so I jumped off the rock along with everyone else and had a blast!

This advice is really good advice in many areas of life.  Of course, we don’t want to be spontaneous in all decisions. Going out and buying a car on a whim might not be a good idea, although I did do that once. Buying a house should take some planning and budgeting rather than going out, not thinking about it, and just doing it.  However, there is a point in which over analyzing can be paralyzing. 

Thinking about courageously stepping out in faith can be useful for fun activities like hiking, if you are afraid of the woods; swimming in a water hole, if you are afraid of water; bungee jumping, if you are afraid of heights, or a variety of fun activities that one can get over analytical about and never step out into fun.  On the other hand there are more serious areas in life where you can be courageous, use the “don’t think about it, just do it” concept and have great success.  Let’s touch on a few.

Going back to school. Yes, this should take some planning such as how you will pay for it, will you do it in person or online, and how will you manage your time if you are working full time and/or parenting.  After you have managed to make this list out, don’t spend too much time on over analyzing the details and getting caught up in your head. If you have someone supportive of the idea that can help, you can manage a few sleepless nights here and there, and you have the ability to finance it or have a job that will assist; just make it happen.  I spent way too many years putting off my Master’s degree until I finally just decided that I was going to make it happen.  My husband understood that weekends would be filled with studying as would some of my evenings for the next year and a half.  I devised a study plan, took over the dining room table and tried not to pass out after I signed up!  You see, if I would have looked too closely at the itinerary of my studies for the entire time, I would not have committed.  Instead, I prayed and I believed that I could do it; and I did!

The decision to buy my own house. Yes, I know I said this shouldn’t be a whimsical act, but the decision to do it can be a “don’t think about it, just do it” decision.  Once I was determined that I wanted my own home, I had to be strategic about how I would save the money for a down payment, make sure I could get financing, and be certain I stayed within my budget. If I had over analyzed the decision and brought every fear and negative thought into my head, I never would have set the course to do it.  It took me over 6 months to save enough money for a down payment. I did it by walking dogs in addition to my full time job, moving in with a roommate to save money, and setting a tight budget. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made; it gave me great independence and the realization that I could do it on my own.  I actually have my husband to thank for this. He planted the seed when we started dating because he wanted me to have that self-confidence and know that I didn’t need him or any other man to help me survive.  What a great guy he was then and still is today!

Starting a new career. This is another one of those decisions that need some planning as to logistics, but the decision to start a new career can be a “don’t think about it, just do it” decision.  What prompted me to actually go through with my Master’s degree was the decision  to start a new career.  I was at a great place of employment. I gained so much experience there and made so many friends that I still have today. I wanted to grow and expand, however, so I decided that I would see what would happen if I obtained my Master’s degree.  I finished my degree in May of 2018, secured a new job in July, and in September, my husband and I traveled across the country to Oregon to start my new career.  It was one of the craziest things I’ve done, but definitely NOT the craziest; that was four years later. I don’t regret traveling across the country, starting a new career, and taking that chance. Those four years in Oregon were filled with adventure, beauty, and so much fun. It was a chance in a lifetime and I met so many amazing people while gaining great experience in the organization I was with.

Moving back across the country without a job. Now this decision should have had more analysis and less “don’t think about it, just do it” type thinking. We  moved, however, because I knew my parents were having some health issues and the housing market was going crazy. I knew that we would never leave Oregon if we didn’t do so at that time, and as much as we loved Oregon, we knew we needed to get closer to family, eventually.  We put our house on the market, sold it in less than a week, and made a trip to Georgia, where two of my sisters were living at the time. We settled on a house that was much further from my sisters than I wanted, but we kept getting outbid, the housing shortage was crazy, and we couldn’t find rentals. On our drive from Oregon to Georgia, we made it to Colorado when I found out my Mom was in the hospital. I kept in contact with my family along the way and decided to drop my carload in Georgia and proceed to Florida.  My Mom ended up passing ( I know that was very truncated, but that story will be for another blog post).  My Dad moved to Georgia, and is living with my husband and me.  I have a job in retail, but not in my chosen career, and where my skill set lies.  So, even though it appears my haste was not fruitful in the aspect of a career, I think it is where God wants me to be at this moment; trusting in him, helping my Dad, and having been with my family to take care of my Mom.

In conclusion, you can use the “don’t think about it, just do it” concept to fight a small fear you have and  be adventurous, or on a larger bucket list item that you want to make the decision to do, before beginning your planning.  It is a simple concept, but it really helps to get out of your head and not get paralyzed in analyzing all the reasons you shouldn’t do something or how you might fail.  Give it a try.