Ok, well maybe I’m still a weanie, but I hadn’t ever thought about it in this light. I’ve always known that when I hesitate things don’t turn out the way I want and I’ve struggled every darn day of my life with it. But what if it’s because I am programmed that way? That maybe, other people out there are just like me in that regard?

My good friend Kirsten going for it!

Nod your head if you agree with the following statement: Nine times out of ten, the number one reason for getting my butt chewed in a livestock related situation is by not acting quick enough. I thought about it too long and guess what? I missed my head loop, I wimp armed my heel shot by not delivering when I should have, I crashed my saddle on to the ground and traumatized my colt’s first saddling experience because I didn’t commit to something I knew I could do, and I didn’t make a sort because I was scared to screw it up.

I hesitated. I was scared of doing the wrong thing and scared equals “this could be bad for me” which translates to “nope, not going to do it” resulting in “whoops I just screwed up”.

Over the years I have acknowledged my hesitation and have worked on overcoming it and other issues like pride, arrogance, and that dumb hurt feelings crap because it just gets in your way. But if you are like me, you know that it can be a really hard thing to do. (In fact go check out this great article by Tayler Teichert on reaching potential, she talks about a lot of the same stuff!)

No Time for hesitation in town

My point in writing this article is that the mind wants to protect you, but by hesitating you miss out on a lot of what you should be doing. Knowing about your brain’s process of keeping your body from harming itself, you can begin to see that you’re not just being a wimp at times. Some people just have a higher self-preservation than others and it shows, but it is your choice whether or not to act on that hesitation and turn it into fear.  I do well with scientific ways of thinking and the realization that hesitation stems from a natural instinct of survival helps me to wrap my mind around my issue and in turn, understand that its just an innate response, so…get over it and do that sh*t!!

If you watch the video, (see full video here) the gal goes on to explain that hesitation effects all aspects of our lives; decisions made at our work, in our relationships with loved ones, careers etc. etc. She stresses that motivation is not what we need but that overcoming hesitation is the real issue.  I personally think we still need a little motivation in our lives, but watch the video and form your own opinion!

Until next time, don’t think so much, just do!

Ceily Rae Highberger

All photos in this blog post taken by my Sony Alpha 6000