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“The worst thing you can do is nothing,” a striking phrase credited to Theodore Roosevelt, carries profound wisdom about decision-making. It’s a simple but sharp reminder that inaction is a choice in itself—one that often leads to negative outcomes or missed opportunities. This isn’t about rushing or making rash decisions. It’s about recognising the cost of letting chances slip through your fingers and letting situations deteriorate because you’re too afraid, indecisive, or complacent to act.

The worst thing you can do is nothing – Theodore Roosevelt

Think about it. When faced with a decision, especially a tough one, it’s tempting to delay, to hem and haw, hoping that the issue will resolve itself. But here’s the catch—while you’re waiting, the world keeps turning. Conditions change, options dwindle, and your power to affect the outcome diminishes. By doing nothing, you’ve made a passive choice. You’ve let circumstances dictate the outcome, rather than taking control.

Sure, we can wait for all things to be perfect. But we lose time, and even if we make the best decision then, it is too late. We have to act, can’t lose time and wait till things become perfect. Progress is more important than perfection. Perfection is a waste if it comes too late.

The best thing you can do is the right thing

And at any point, we know what’s right. Perhaps this is lost in the noise around us, but we always know what the right thing is. Our minds and consciousness tell us what the right thing is. The famous quote – right is right and wrong is wrong is a great pointer to thinking about our life’s values.

The best thing we can do is act and do the right thing. Even if it feels uncomfortable, and appears like a risk – we have to do the right thing. It is almost a question of whether we focus on short-term gains or long-term victories in our lives. Ultimately it is these right things that we can do which is the best thing.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the worst thing you can do is nothing

Theodore Roosevelt Quotes

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt