Hesitation Kills
As an Army Reserve Drill Sergeant, it is my responsibility to transform America's sons and daughters into soldiers, the defenders of freedom and the American way of life.
The training process used to facilitate this transformation has many lessons that every American can benefit from. For example, today's American soldier -- because of the present war on terrorism -- undergoes what is commonly called MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) Training. This training teaches the following techniques: approach a building (such as a residence), enter the building, clear each room of the building, neutralize any resistance, capture enemy weaponry if present, and do all the above without shooting friendly forces.
During training, the first soldier enters through a door and immediately comes under attack. The new soldier's response is to always hesitate then sometimes fall back. This is when the trainer will remind the soldier that hesitation kills. To stop, to stand in the door way for one moment gives the enemy enough time to kill.
This lesson is applicable to everyday life. Hesitation kills. Hesitation kills dreams, progress, self-improvement, and goal-completion. How many times have we all personally hesitated only to our own regret? What life-changing, situation-improving decision are you hesitating to make? A new job? A new and better location for your family? An innovative business start-up? Going back to school? Why do we hesitate? Because of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of loss. Fear of failure.
The Army understands that the lead soldier going into a new, unchecked building may hesitate then fall back if attacked. That's why all soldiers behind the lead man (no gender bias intended) are trained to push forward. Did you get that? The team is trained to compensate for the first soldier's hesitation by pushing forward.
Do you have an accountability partner in your life to push you forward if you begin to hesitate while making your life-improving decisions? Do you have a support team ready to push you past fear, past deadly hesitation? If not, you need to get one.
In conclusion, here are the positive points of influence that all of us can benefit from:
1. Hesitation is our enemy. Hesitation kills our dreams, our hopes, progress, and goal-completion.
2. We need an accountability partner or team to push us past our fears and tendency to hesitate.
Talk to you soon.
Fred
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