Don’t Wait for the Green Light

Why Having a Bias Toward Action Beats Waiting for Permission—Even When the World Tells You to Stop

The Crosswalk That Reminded Me of an Important Lesson

The other morning, I hopped on my motorcycle for my usual ride to one of my favorite cafés. It was early—just after 6 a.m.—and the streets of Los Angeles were still mostly asleep, except for the occasional honk from an impatient driver.

As I rolled to a red light at the intersection of Venice and Centinela, I noticed two pedestrians waiting at a crosswalk. The light for cars was green, but their crosswalk signal hadn’t turned white.

Now, if you’ve spent any time in L.A., you know that some intersections don’t activate the crosswalk unless someone hits the button. It’s one of those “technological efficiency” ideas that somehow makes things more inefficient.

These two folks just stood there.

And stood there.

Watching.

Waiting.

They had the right instinct to be cautious—after all, cars make left turns there. But at some point, they clearly said to themselves: screw it, and stepped off the curb.

Only problem? By the time they got two lanes into the six-lane crossing, the light was yellow. Now cars wanted to turn. The signal changed. The honking started. One of them started jogging, leaving his partner behind.

It was a mess.

But it reminded me of something I had to learn early in life:

"It’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission."

Life rarely gives you a perfect green light. You have to move. You have to act. And when you do, you'd better stay alert—keep your head on a swivel.

That moment, watching them inch their way through traffic, reminded me of the core wisdom I’ve lived by on construction sites, martial arts mats, and in business:

A bias toward action isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a warrior’s way of life.

Let me explain why.

The Bold Step: Why Warriors Move First

1. Theodore Roosevelt: The Man in the Arena

Teddy Roosevelt wasn’t born tough. Sickly as a child and often bedridden, he built himself—physically and mentally—through a life of decisive action. His famous speech, The Man in the Arena, wasn’t just political theater.

It was his code:

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.
The next best thing is the wrong thing.
The worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Roosevelt led the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill not because it was the "safe" move—but because it was the necessary one. He didn’t have all the answers. He acted anyway.

What we learn: Action creates clarity. Hesitation breeds doubt. Waiting rarely brings wisdom—it just delays consequences.

2. Miyamoto Musashi: Strike Before You Think

The legendary samurai Musashi won over 60 duels, often using unorthodox timing and unexpected attacks. In The Book of Five Rings, he wrote:

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.”

And that sometimes, you have to move first—before the enemy expects it.

[free PDF of The Book of Five Rings here:]

Musashi often arrived late to duels on purpose, disrupting his opponent’s rhythm. He used wooden swords instead of steel to throw people off. But most importantly—he always acted.

He didn’t wait for the perfect moment. He created it.

What we learn: Acting decisively—especially when others hesitate—tilts the field in your favor. You shape the battle by moving first.

3. The Universal Law of Action

Here’s what most people miss:

Indecision is still a decision.

And it usually costs more than action ever could.

A bias toward action works because:

It builds momentum: Movement breeds movement.
It creates feedback: You learn faster when you do, not when you think.
It signals confidence: Others rally around those who make bold moves.

But don’t mistake this for recklessness. True action bias is informed courage.

You assess, adapt, and then go.

Common misconceptions:

“What if I make the wrong move?” You will. That’s the point.
“Shouldn’t I wait until I’m ready?” No one ever is. You become ready through motion.

4. The Deeper Layer: Action as Existential Choice

Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard believed anxiety wasn’t a curse—but a signal. It meant you were standing at the edge of possibility. And only through a leap—an act of will—could you truly live.

Existentialism teaches: we become who we are through our choices.

A warrior’s life isn’t determined by talent, upbringing, or intelligence.
It’s forged in fire.
Action is the flame.

Where others hesitate, the warrior moves.
Not because it’s easy.
But because hesitation corrodes the soul.

5. Why Action Ripples Through the World

On the individual level:

You gain confidence with every move.
You stop overthinking and start learning.
You build your reputation as someone who gets things done.

On the collective level:

Leaders emerge through initiative.
Teams move faster with a culture of action.
Organizations thrive when “permission” isn’t a bottleneck.

In the long run:

Small actions compound.
Missed actions multiply in regret.
The world changes when someone dares to step off the curb.

Putting It On the Mat: The Warrior’s Practice

🧭 Self-Check: Where Are You Hesitating?

Ask yourself:

"Where in my life am I waiting for a green light that may never come?"

Write down three areas right now. Be honest.

That call you haven’t made.
That project you haven’t started.
That boundary you haven’t set.

Awareness is the first move.

Leveling Up Your Bias Toward Action

Beginner – Micro-Movements

Every day, take one small action you’ve been avoiding: send an email, make a call, ask a question.
Don’t overthink it—just move.

Intermediate – Momentum Mapping

Set 3 clear goals this week. For each, write ONE action that doesn’t need permission.
Do it first thing in the morning.

Advanced – Act Before the Ask

In meetings or group settings, start offering value before you're asked. Speak up. Lead the initiative.
Model action without waiting.

Daily Micro-Practices

Ask: What’s one thing I can do right now? Then do it.
Use the 2-minute rule: If it takes less than 2 minutes, act immediately.
End your day by writing: What didn’t I do because I was waiting for permission?

Resistance & Roadblocks

You’ll hear the voice:

“What if I mess up?”

Respond with:

“What if I don’t move… and miss everything?”

Push through fear by acting before it becomes paralysis.
Let experience teach what fear never will.

The Final Challenge

This week, take these five steps:

Write down the #1 thing you’ve been putting off.
Break it into the smallest next action.
Do that action today.
Tell someone what you did—accountability builds the muscle.
Reflect: How did that feel? What did you learn?

You don’t need to leap across six lanes.

Just step off the curb.
Eyes up.
Feet moving.
Head on a swivel.

Because warriors don’t wait for green lights.
They create their own.

Charles Doublet

Why Warriors Never Wait for the Green Light