When at the Rugby 

We were at the Springbok rugby game this weekend. It was great, until it almost wasn’t.

There was this guy in front of us, there with his young son, who’d clearly been drinking since early morning. The cold drink seller comes by, and he starts haggling over the price. But here’s the thing. He’s not listening properly (crowd noise, distance, alcohol), and he’s talking to the seller like he’s beneath him. Proper disrespectful. The prices were literally printed on the seller’s shirt, but no. He sends his young son over with money, then accuses the seller of trying to steal from a child.

I caught his eye and gave him a look that said exactly what I thought about his behavior. His response? “I’m teaching my son!”

Right. I thought. Teaching him what, exactly?

When Enough Is Enough

Twenty minutes later, a chocolate seller comes by. Same story. Except this time the guy stands up, gets in the seller’s face, starts shouting and doing that weird chest-bumping thing men do when they want to fight but don’t actually want to fight.

That’s when we couldn’t just sit there anymore.

My husband stood up, told him to sit down, handed the seller the R5 he was arguing about. Then drunk dad turned on me, looking like he was going to punch someone. Next thing I know, my son Matthew is telling this grown man to sit down and leave his mother alone.

(I’m still processing that proud mama moment, honestly.)

Think. Act. Take Action.

I read something once:

Smart people think. Dumb people act. Brave people do both. Be brave.

I can’t sit around and watch when someone needs defending. Neither can my husband or son, apparently.

In fact, I struggle with just sitting around when there are things to do in general. But the secret to success is knowing when it’s time to take action.

At the rugby game the risk assessment was a quick and easy one. But in life and business it can be more complicated.

Should you just jump in with two feet, minimal planning and limited knowledge? No, that would be dumb. But should you continue planning, learning, and strategizing long past the point where you know enough to do something? Also no.

Stop Waiting, Start Doing

How many times have you talked yourself out of taking action because you convinced yourself you weren’t ready, didn’t know enough, or needed just one more course, one more strategy session, one more perfect plan? Meanwhile, time keeps moving. And you don’t know how much of it you actually have.

Be brave. Do both. Think and act.

Here’s What I Want You to Do

• Think about something you want to do but haven’t started yet.
• Ask yourself why you haven’t.
• If it really is because you aren’t prepared: make a list of what you need to do to become prepared. With actual timelines and dates, not someday-maybe wishes.
• If you’re actually ready (and let’s be honest, you probably are): make a list of the first steps you can take this week. Not next month. This week.

I’d love to know what you are working on. Hit reply and tell me about it. I’m genuinely curious what you’re facing.

Talk soon,