The Most Effective Way to do Something
“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”
“Don’t talk about it; be about it.”
“Just do it.”
We’ve all heard these mantras and found value in their sentiments at times. These are worth regurgitating in times of uncertainty or change. There is much in life that happens to us, much that is out of our control. We all know this. Decisions we face don’t always have clear answers or directions. We don’t live in a black and white world as much as we wish we did. I’ve been learning an important lesson lately, and a new mantra has been ringing in my head. It’s a quote from Amelia Earhart:
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
Ever since I stumbled across this quote, I’ve watched it play out in many situations- at work, at home, at the gym, etc. Also, it saved our cat’s life last week. Let me explain.
I had a missed call at 3:06pm Monday from my wife. I immediately panic when I get a call from a family member when they know I’m working or sleeping. I assume something horrible has happened. Everything is usually fine, but this time something was wrong. Our cat, Willy, was very ill.
My wife had taken him to the vet because he was making awful noises and throwing up all over the house. Willy had a hospital stay over the summer and we soon found out he’d be heading there again. I left work and got to the vet just in time for us to rush him to MedVet, an animal hospital a few miles from our house. Willy’s bladder was fully obstructed, making his abdomen swollen and in intense pain, which could quickly become fatal if not addressed. We consented to the incredibly expensive tests and possible surgery he would be needing, because… how could we not? They’d be inserting a catheter immediately to drain his bladder and help with his pain. He was really in a dire place and needed quick medical attention.
Then the power went out.
Someone came in and told us we could wait it out if we wanted to. Willy would be fine for 5–10 minutes, but if it became 20–30, we might lose him. Kallan and I turned to each other and stood up before we even got the words out.
Let’s go.
I pulled the car to the front door and Kallan rushed outside with Willy in a blink. I lost count of the number of cars that honked or flashed their lights at us while we rushed to OSU. I ran at least one red light (with nobody around, promise) and drove like I’ve never driven in my life. Willy was clinging to life in his cat carrier in the backseat, and Kallan was checking on him nonstop to make sure he was breathing and moving. I felt like I could throw up. We got to OSU as quickly as possible.
Willy spent 3 days in ICU and is now home. He’s a bit lethargic but getting back to his old self. Our little family is whole again.
We found out late Monday night that MedVet’s power was out for 6 hours. Willy had 20–30 minutes. It took us 15 to get to Ohio State. If we waited 5–10 minutes and considered our options, Willy might not be sitting on my lap purring as I write this.
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
According to a study done at Cornell University, adults make over 35,000 conscious decisions per day. We make around 226 decisions about food alone. As much as I’d love to think them all out, weigh my options, and make the most informed choices, that’s not always realistic. Often, you must just do it.
Make a move. Take a step. Head a direction. Go.
When Willy was throwing up, Kallan could’ve hopped on the Google train to figure out what was going on with him. She could’ve called a friend and gotten their opinion. She could’ve thought about the expensive trip he just had a few months ago. Instead, she scooped him up and took him to get help.
We could’ve sat in the MedVet room weighing our options, thinking about the likelihood of them having a funtioning backup generator (apparently, they don’t) or how long power outages usually last. Instead, we left. These split-second decisions aren’t always easy, but I think we need to trust our instincts more often. Sometimes the best thing to do is to do something.
During my second year of teaching I became interested in educational topics beyond classroom teaching. I knew I would eventually want to make a change or at least have the flexibility to do so. I knew I wanted to further my studies, but I didn’t have an exact idea of what that looked like. I thought about it, month after month, pondering all my interests and weighing all my options. I could do this… I could do that… Maybe I want to do this… Maybe I would be interested in that…
I lived in this cycle for a while until Kallan encouraged me to apply to a graduate program. She pushed me to move towards something. You don’t need all the answers; just take a step. I’ll graduate with my Master’s in Educational Leadership in 3 weeks, and I have loved the program more than I ever could’ve imagined. I didn’t know exactly what it would entail. I didn’t have all the answers going into it or what opportunities could come afterward. I still don’t, but I’m so glad I took a step. I moved a direction. I did something, instead of just living in the cycle of I wonder what I should do.
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
Your ducks will never be in a perfect row. That’s not how life works. Want to do something? Do it. Want to try something new? Try it. Want to learn something new? Read about it. Want to get in shape? Drive to the closest gym right now and do a week trial. Put your shoes on and go for a walk. Want to eat healthy? Don’t just say it; get your Tupperware out and meal-prep for the week.
Don’t just talk about it; be about it. You’ll face 35,000 decisions tomorrow and you may not know what to do about plenty of them. Do something. Trust your instincts. Go after it. Some days, 34,999 of them may carry little weight or consequences. Other times they will, and you’ll be really glad you did something.
