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Carolyn Smagalski
Decision
Founder - Editor - Host
William Joseph Slim (1891–1970) was a British field marshal,
most notable for his service in World War I. He made a name
for himself during his service in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia,
and went on to command forces in Sudan (1940) and the Middle
East (1941).
In 1942, he moved to Myanmar as corps commander and led
(1943–45) the 14th British Army in the re-conquest of that
country from the Japanese. He went on to serve as chief of
the Imperial General Staff from 1948 to 1952, being promoted
to field marshal in 1949. He served as governor-general of
Australia from 1953 to 1960, when he was created viscount.
This was a man with an astoundingly successful career in
leadership. Of decision, he said, "When you cannot make up
your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you
should take - choose the bolder."
If you examine the lives of leaders, decision, followed by
deliberate action, is their trademark. Author L. G. Elliott
wrote, "Vacillating people seldom succeed. Successful men and
women are very careful in reaching their decisions, and very
persistent and determined in action thereafter."
On the flip side, indecision is the mark of failure. It leads
to procrastination, doubt, and ultimately, a paralyzing fear
that is difficult to escape. "Indecision is debilitating; it
feeds upon itself; it is, one might almost say,
habit-forming. Not only that, but it is contagious; it
transmits itself to others," said H. A. Hopf.
Indecision is a habit, as is decision. In 1875, William James
began his prestigious career as professor of psychology at
Harvard University in Cambridge, for the modest sum of $600
per year. There were no professors of psychology in American
universities before James began teaching the subject, but his
decision to move boldly forward was the turning point of his
life.
James' life had been marked with indecision, moving from one
career to another. He wrote, "There is no more miserable
human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but
indecision." At thirty years old, he was still financially
dependent on his father, when he was offered this position at
Harvard. The results of this decision led to his
prestigious thirty-five year career in psychology and
philosophy.
Decision is key to success. Make your decision to move
forward with your life and your career, despite the
challenges. When you are not sure what to do, act as if you
already know what to do, then follow through. The feeling of
empowerment that is the result of decision will carry you onto
success.
Content copyright © 2003-2008 by Carolyn Smagalski. All rights
reserved. This content was written by Carolyn Smagalski.
If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need
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