On my way back from our retreat on Rügen, I heard a quote from Napoleon Bonaparte: “Not the available forces, but the forces employed decide the battle.” That brings me to my question of the week: Do you know it or do you do it?
Do you know what my favorite remark from participants after my lectures is? “That sounds like something I’ve heard somewhere before.” Exactly. Instead of discussing rocket science, I talk about things that we theoretically should all know. Yet merely knowing doesn’t change your life. That’s why I keep telling people the same thing until they act. Look, you might have the best waffle recipe in your head, but as long as you only know the recipe and never put it into practice, there will be no waffles.
In other words: It’s the DOING that takes you from knowing to having it. Are you someone who just talks about what should be done, or are you a person of action? Do you really want to change something and let your thoughts and words be followed by action? Or are you one of those hot air types who talk but never act?
The universe really works very effectively for you. My only question is: Do you recognize the signs and then take action?
For several months now, I haven’t been as happy with some photos of myself as I was a few years ago – I mean those photos taken from behind. In some of them, you can see a bit lighter hair on the upper part of my head. Of course, I could let my hair grow out and comb it over, but I don’t like that. I prefer my hair shorter. That got me thinking that some people have hair implanted in their bald spots – and the result really looks great. I know of a solution, and I occasionally look into it, though not yet in the spirit of taking real action and making a decision. In short, every time I see photos of myself, I internally roll my eyes.
A few days ago, we were on the Mein Schiff 3, and one of my guest artist colleagues with magnificent hair had exactly that done. Long story short: After thinking about it for so long and searching for a viable option for myself, the solution came directly to me through that colleague. “I would do it again anytime,” he said one evening. He survived it, and I will survive it too. Of course, I could spend weeks researching and overthinking everything. Will it hurt? How long will it take? Honestly… do I want it or don’t I? That’s the only question I’m allowed to answer. The rest will unfold as it will – and I assume the best. So, I went ahead and scheduled an appointment.
How long have you been contemplating changing something in your life, in your career, or anywhere else? What if you finally took action? Why? Because, as Napoleon so beautifully said: “Not the available forces, but the forces employed decide the battle.” It is the doing that changes life – not merely knowing what you might theoretically do someday. Or, even more pointlessly, expecting others to act so that you can remain as you are.
Be brave and make a decision that’s long overdue. Only then will things truly change.
