Edition #7: Why Thinking Is a Little Overrated
A timely reminder of why the Hail Mary Friday Club exists: because creativity, ideas, and potential are bubbling away inside you. And speaking on behalf of the entire world, we want to see it!
So ruminate on the wisdom below, and then do something bold on Friday! Maybe it works out. Maybe it doesn’t. But it will never be because you were too afraid to try.
(You can find the origin story of the Hail Mary Friday Club here)
“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”
~ Peter Marshall, Presbyterian Minister and former chaplain to the US Senate, 1902-1949
The Problem: Death by Planning
How to get those ideas out of your head…
There’s no shortage of ideas in the world. But a great idea is only part of the equation. And maybe not the most important part…
According to psychologists, we have two complementary motivational systems: a “Thinking System” and a “Doing System”.
And yes, we need to invest the time to think and plan and set our course. There’s no point in slogging up a mountain only to find yourself standing on the wrong peak.
But even the world’s most advanced navigation system is of little use until you take that first step. A person with a fold-out map willing to give it a go packs a way more powerful punch.
The Solution: Just Do It
If you take away everything but your actions, what’s left…?
Imagine an alien studying human anthropology descends from outer space and can only observe your actions. Not your thoughts. Not your plans. Only what you do.
What would the final report say about you?
Thinking is important and necessary. But there has to be execution. A place where all of those wonderful thoughts converge into a definable set of actions.
Photo Credit to Cástor Rodríguez
A perfect embodiment of this is Mother Teresa, rumoured to have responsed to those offering to pray for her work with the poor like this:
“That’s good — but come and help them too.”
Because even great spiritual leaders know that prayer without hands and feet isn’t enough to change the world.
The Application: What have HMFC members been up to?
One of the greatest joys of writing this is hearing about your Hail Mary Fridays! And it would be selfish to keep them to myself!
So, after joining “Hail Mary” I messaged someone to see if they would like to ‘hang out’…read between the lines . Thanks for the provocation.
PS. We’re meeting up for dinner and a movie
I’d been brushed off before when I asked about a title change to Head of Department. I do the job already, but just wanted recognition.
After reading your newsletter, I finally emailed our CFO. I explained why I’ve earned it, asked for honest feedback, and made it clear how important career progression is to me.
You gave me the nudge I needed to speak up and ask the tough question. Thank you!
When I asked what courageous thing I needed to do, recently breaking a friend’s confidence came to mind. Owning up was the last thing I wanted to do.
I didn’t want to hurt her or our friendship. But I knew it was better coming from me. So I found her, apologized, and braced for anger. Instead, I got a hug, a good chat, and some apples from her garden. Peace restored.
What’s one definable action you can take on Friday?
You don’t have to have it all worked out. You only need to know what the next best step is. So take all that wonderful thinking, and translate it into a concrete action. And then do it already!
Catch you in your inbox on Nov 13th. HMFC lands on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, which means you can fit in 3 Hail Mary Fridays before the next edition!
- Stef
PS. If you are like me and Mother Teresa’s reponse of “that’s good - but come and help them too” made you say ouch as she cut straight to your core then check out this compilation of her quotes.
She may be primarily known for her compassion, but if ever there was a poster child for action, I think it’s her!
