I became aware of this powerful question years ago.

“Three birds are sitting on a fence. Two birds are planning to fly, how many are still on the fence?”

 

Some may say it’s a trick question. If we look deeper into the statements we say on a daily basis, how many of them insinuate indecisiveness, just by the choice of words we use?

 

Years ago, Michael Bernard Beckwith shared a story during a seminar about his love for chocolate. He had a box of chocolate in his office, in his car, in several areas in his home. One day, he noticed that two pieces of chocolate were missing from the box in his car. The thought of “who ate my chocolate?” consumed his mind for a while. Then he caught himself thinking, “I am eating too much chocolate if I start worrying about someone eating my chocolate. This is not good.” Then he followed with, “Next week, when the holiday is over, I’ll stop eating chocolate.” The minute he said it, a voice inside of him rose up and said, “Michael, you can never make a decision for the future.”

 

This is a powerful piece of learning – we cannot make a decision in or for the future. If it’s a real decision, you immediately act on it, right now. Otherwise, it’s only a consideration, a contemplation. It seems like a decision has been made, but there’s no evidence to support it.

 

The proof a decision has been made is an action step scheduled in a calendar to serve this decision. At the scheduled time, you then complete the action. If not, you’re like the birds still sitting on the fence.

 

Notice what decision you’re not yet making, up until now?

What reasons delay this decision?

If all those reasons are taken care of, what results would you enjoy?

Notice where you focus is – the reasons or the results?