Take the Shot

My boys,

There's something I need you to understand early—

Hesitation can quietly rob a man of more than failure ever will.

Most people think their greatest danger is making the wrong decision.

I've come to realize…

For many… Their greatest danger is making no decision at all.

Procrastination is one of the most deceptive thieves in existence.

Because it rarely looks dangerous.

It often disguises itself as:

"I'm still thinking." "I need more time." "I'm waiting for clarity." "I'm planning." "I just want to be sure."

But many times…

That is not wisdom.

That is fear wearing intelligence as a costume.

I need you to hear me clearly—

There is a difference between thoughtful consideration… And avoidance.

One sharpens.

The other delays.

And delay… When unnecessary… Can quietly become self-sabotage.

I've learned that life rewards movement.

Not reckless movement…

But decisive movement.

When a problem arises… When an opportunity appears… When a responsibility calls…

Train yourself to think:

What are my options?

Not: "How do I avoid this?"

Develop multiple possible solutions.

Analyze them.

Choose one.

Execute.

Adjust if needed.

Repeat.

That alone separates builders from bystanders.

See, most decisions in life are not carved in stone.

They are adjustable.

Reversible.

Refinable.

But fear convinces people every choice is permanent.

So they freeze.

They act as if one missed kick defines the player…

Instead of realizing great players become great precisely because they keep taking shots.

My boys…

You will miss.

You will miscalculate.

You will sometimes choose wrong.

Good.

That is called living.

That is called data.

That is called refinement.

I would rather you take an imperfect shot… Learn… And recalibrate…

Than spend your life standing still, terrified of looking foolish.

Soccer taught me something symbolic—

You cannot score if you refuse to shoot.

Seems obvious…

Yet so many people live exactly that way.

They want the business… But never launch.

They want the relationship… But never communicate.

They want the body… But never train.

They want the peace… But never confront.

They want the dream…

But they hesitate.

And hesitation, over time, becomes habit.

Then habit becomes identity.

Then identity becomes:

"I'm just someone who overthinks."

No.

You became someone who practiced fear.

And what is practiced… Strengthens.

This is why action matters so much.

Action teaches what theory cannot.

Experience reveals what imagination distorts.

I've learned there is no perfect blueprint before execution.

There are educated guesses… Strategic attempts… And lessons earned.

That's it.

You want confidence?

Confidence is often built after action— Not before it.

Most people wait to feel ready.

Builders understand readiness is often forged in motion.

You become more accurate by doing.

You become sharper by trying.

You become wiser by adjusting.

Do not let perfectionism become procrastination in a nicer outfit.

Perfection is often an illusion that delays progress.

Progress first. Precision later.

Think of a craftsman.

His first cut may not be flawless.

But every cut teaches his hands.

Every mistake trains his eye.

Every repetition builds mastery.

So when life places the ball at your feet…

Take the shot.

Miss if you must.

But do not stand there frozen while opportunity passes and then spend years wondering:

"What if?"

"What if?" can become a prison.

Action, even imperfect action… Creates freedom.

And let me tell you something else—

Your mind can sometimes become your own worst traffic jam.

Too many scenarios. Too many fears. Too many hypotheticals.

Analysis paralysis.

A thousand thoughts… Zero movement.

You must learn to say:

"Enough."

Then move.

Not every bridge needs to be fully visible before you take the first step.

Sometimes movement creates visibility.

I've come to realize—

Indecision often drains more energy than wrong decisions.

Because wrong decisions can teach.

Indecision just drains.

So practice becoming a man who can:

Observe. Assess. Decide. Act. Adjust.

That is power.

And over time… Your ability to trust yourself grows.

Because you stop seeing mistakes as identity…

And start seeing them as instruction.

My boys…

Do not fear taking shots.

Fear becoming the kind of man who never took one.

Because goals are not scored by spectators.

Lives are not built by hesitation.

And wisdom is rarely born from avoidance.

Take the shot.

Then learn from where it lands.

I love you.

— Baba

---

Question: Where in your life are you currently hesitating out of fear when action—even imperfect action—could teach you more than overthinking ever will?

Moral: Procrastination often disguises fear as caution. Progress belongs to those willing to think, decide, act, and refine through experience.

Disclaimer: This story reflects real experiences and philosophies behind Backyard Brew. It is shared to inspire perspective and intention.

Author: R. Solace