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"在任何决策时刻,你能做的最好的事情是做正确的事情。最糟糕的事情是什么都不做。"

Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Politician
Translations
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Quote meaning
Making a decision is always tricky, isn’t it? But what if I told you that the real killer isn’t choosing the wrong option—it's not choosing at all. That’s what this quote is getting at. When you’re faced with a decision, taking action, even if it isn’t perfect, is generally better than standing still, paralyzed by indecision.

Let’s dive into some context. This advice might remind you of something a wise old grandparent might say, but it actually comes from Theodore Roosevelt, a U.S. president known for his boldness and decisiveness. Roosevelt was a man of action—someone who believed in the power of doing something rather than nothing. His life was full of bold moves, from charging up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War to creating national parks. He knew the perils of dithering.

Picture this: You’re at work, and a big project lands on your desk late Friday afternoon. You’ve got a weekend to think about it. You could spend the entire time worrying about the perfect approach, or you could dive in and get started. Maybe you don’t get it entirely right on your first try, but here’s the thing—you’ve got something to work with. You’ve made progress. Sitting idly, on the other hand, leaves you with nothing but wasted time and no closer to a solution.

So how do you apply this in real life? First off, don’t fear making mistakes. Don’t let the quest for perfection paralyze you. Start small if you need to. Make a list of your options, then pick one and give it a go. Don’t like how it’s turning out? Adjust your course. The key is to keep moving.

Imagine you’re learning to paint. Standing in front of a blank canvas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What if you mess it up? What if it doesn’t look like you imagined? But here’s the magic—each brush stroke, right or wrong, teaches you something. You won’t create a masterpiece by staring at the canvas. You will by painting, smudging, and adjusting.

Let me share a relatable story. Picture a friend who’s always wanted to start a small business—let’s say a little coffee shop. She’s dreamt about it for years. She’s got plans, ideas, even a location in mind. But she never takes the plunge because she’s terrified of failing. Years go by, and that coffee shop remains a dream. Now think about another friend who just goes for it. They open their coffee shop, and guess what? They make mistakes. The menu needs tweaking, the decor isn’t quite right, maybe they even have a slow month. But they learn, they adapt, and eventually, they succeed. The difference? One took action, the other didn’t.

So next time you’re stuck on a decision, remember: doing something, even imperfectly, moves you forward. It’s the only way to learn, grow, and ultimately, succeed. And hey, you’ll sleep better knowing you’re taking your fate into your own hands rather than letting it drift. Now, go on—make that decision and see where it takes you. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Related tags
Action Choices Decision making Ethics Life lessons Motivation Personal growth Proactivity Responsibility Wisdom
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