How many times do you hear, “Let’s just wait and see what happens.” It’s especially spoken when you don’t know what to do or there is no clear advantage of one option over another. But regardless, you put yourself in a terrible position with a “wait and see” position. Why?

1. You yield control. You give the joystick to others to determine the outcome, who have THEIR best interests in mind, not yours.

2. You have to settle. No matter the result, it’s yours to live with and accept. You put yourself in a position where options are few and unattractive.

3. You live by inaction. Your life of negligence is uninspiring and unbecoming. Why accept the leftovers in life?

How many times have you heard these? Worse, how many times have you said them?

“Let’s just wait and see what the client says. They may be okay with it.”

“Let’s wait to see what our high performers do. Maybe they won’t leave.”   

“Let’s hold off from doing anything. Maybe it will all work out.”

“I think I’ll just sit tight and maybe things will fall in my favor.”

Because you positioned yourself this way, why do you complain? Why do you say it isn’t fair? Why do you lament your bad luck? Why do you bother getting out of bed in the morning? Just lie there to wait and see what happens.

Now, this isn’t the same as setting something in motion and giving it time to blossom.  That’s exercising active patience and shouldn’t be confused with passive negligence.

Learn to hate “wait and see” in yourself and in others. This week, be aware of when you are tempted to passively watch as the world goes by. You can do better. You must do better.