One comment and a few simple questions on this great quote by explorer William Hutchison Murray.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

The questions:

Do we really have any choice but to live as if this is true?

Whatever your views on providence, would you want to live any other way?

Has a lack of commitment ever yielded significant results?

The comment:

The quote brings to mind the arguments in David Epstein’s New book Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better. Within, Epstein dives deep into the psychological friction between two types of decision-makers: optimizers (often called maximizers) and satisficers. The optimizer is on a relentless, often exhausting quest for the absolute “best.” They want the perfect tool, the ideal strategy, and the most efficient route. But in an era of infinite information, the optimizer often finds themselves in the “hesitancy” Murray warned about. Because they are always looking over their shoulder to see if a better option exists, they never fully lean into the path they’ve chosen. Their focus is fractured, and their progress is stalled by the very search for perfection.

The satisficer, however, understands the power of the “box.” They identify key decision criteria, find a good option and runs with it. Perfect is the enemy of good. By accepting a “good enough” starting point, the satisficer is able to do what the optimizer cannot: they commit. This commitment filters out the noise of alternative possibilities. This is essential for your marriage to succeed; why would it be otherwise for any other challenging task? As Epstein notes, constraint isn’t a limitation, it’s a catalyst.

When you stop wondering “what else?” you move into “how?”

K. Wilkins is the author of:

Stoic Virtues Journal: Your Guide to Becoming the Person You Aspire to Be

Rules for Living Journal: Life Advice Based On the Words and Wisdom of Jordan B. Peterson