I’ve done it. You’ve probably done it.
After stopping at a red light, you inadvertently stay stopped when the light goes green.
Eventually you hear another car blast its horn at you. Or you snap out of your daydream and realize that the light is green. Then you proceed through the intersection.
But have you ever stopped at a green traffic light?
Image via Creative Commons
There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
Imagine slowing down your car as you approach a green light. You reach the traffic light and it’s still green. You apply the brakes and come to a complete stop.
What do you think people would say if you stopped at the green light?
“Come on! Move it fella!”
“Are you blind? The light is green!”
“Get going! You’re holding us up.”
But truth be told, we do this frequently in our everyday lives.
We put our dreams, passions, and hopes on hold.
We come to an intersection and we FREEZE.
Thoughts rush through our minds.
“This could be dangerous.”
“I’ll wait on God.”
“I don’t know what the outcome will be.”
“What if this doesn’t end well?”
The problem is THE LIGHT IS GREEN!
We stop not because the light is red.
We stop because we’re scared. We stop because the road is unfamiliar
What must you do to get yourself to stop stopping at green lights?
- Analyze the situation: Do you have too much on your plate? Is it the right time?
Make sure the path is clear. Decide what needs to be done. Can you honestly do it at this time?You need to look at the situation objectively. Take the emotion out of the equation.
- Analyze the cost: Once you’ve analyzed the situation, you need to analyze the cost.
What is at stake? What will this cost me if I’m wrong? And be honest with this analysis.
Don’t make it into a life ending decision when it’s not. Rarely will you find a choice destroys you.We like to over-value the cost of the decision. - Make the decision to move forward: Now is the time to decide whether the light is green or red.
Put your information together and make an informed decision.
If the light is green, move forward. If it really is red, stop and wait.But get moving once the light turns green.
You’ve now got the information to decide what color the light is. You’re now free to move forward.
Pursue that dream of writing a book. Get out of that job you’ve hated for years. Create beautiful artwork.
What are you going to do? Will you continue to stop at the green light or will you push the gas pedal and continue your life journey?
The choice is up to you!
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
— Walt Disney
Question: What dream have you been putting off because you thought the light was red? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.