Lots of business owners seem to do things halfway. They want to grow their company, but seem tentative or afraid to take measured risks. They want to build a business that runs without them, but are reluctant to trust or give up control. They want to pursue a big opportunity, but throw up all sorts of road blocks and limiting beliefs that keep them from taking effective action.

For instance, a golf professional in the Orlando area was recently offered the opportunity to produce an international video series featuring his approach to teaching golf. This opportunity was a "no brainer." There was no investment on his part, and the publishing company -- a respected company with a strong track record -- was committing to major marketing expenses to get him exposed on a worldwide stage. All that this entrepreneur had to do was dedicate two or three days to producing the videos, and then take a bit of time to review the near-final product for quality or final edits. Even if his royalty income was small, he still would have helped his personal brand name to grow significantly.

But this individual hesitated, and lost the deal to another pro. Why? Because he couldn't get out of his own way. He created so many concerns, objections, and fears about the deal that in the end he ended up stuck teaching in his local market. He ran an extremely busy golf program, but as currently structured, he was not -- and once again is not -- going to create anything of lasting value.

Are you hesitating about something in your business? There is a famous quote, my personal favorite, that I read anytime I feel like I need to take a leap into the unknown and "just do it." If you haven't read it yet, I bet that after you do, you will want to hang it in your office on a giant banner:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectivness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. The whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: 'Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.'"

(from W.H. Murray, "The Scottish Himalayan Expedition")