Choice

Born in a poor family, Napoleon worked his way out with a burning desire to be successful. He was constantly searching for ways to improve himself. He involved in various ventures: managing a coalmine, practicing law and business journalism. His big break came at a meeting with ‘Steel King’, Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie asked Napoleon if he could devote 20 years of his life to put together a formula for helping others to become successful. Carnegie would provide him with letters of reference to meet successful people like Woodrow Wilson, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Theodore Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller.

In less than 60 seconds, Napoleon declared his choice to take up the challenge. Later he came to know that Carnegie had decided to give him only 60 seconds to make the choice. After 20 years of dedicated research, Napoleon Hill compiled the best seller, ‘Think and Grow Rich’ in 1937.

Imagine, history would have been different if Hill had procrastinated on making the choice. Effective people make up their mind fast and are slow at changing their mind once they make their decision. Others tend to be slow at making up their mind and quick to change after the decision is made.

In fact, most people do not make their own decisions, because their decisions are made for them or influenced by others. Decision making is not just about making the choice, but more importantly it is about making timely choices.

Surely, choice needs prompt timing...
to make worthwhile decision making!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.