As I ran down the trail Saturday evening on South Mountain outside of Phoenix, Arizona, I was struck by how trail running resembles life. In particular, it was having to quickly choose where to place my foot in a split second as I danced down the rocky path and by cliffs that made me think this. As I passed over over sharp rocks and found a safer landing spot, I remembered what my life coach had explained to me the week before. “You don’t have to make the best decision, just a good decision.” She was reminding me that there are many times during the day when all that is needed is a good choice. Too often I get hung up on trying to make the best decision.

If I took my time trying to find the very best spot for my foot to land on the trail I would end up crashing to the ground. All I needed was to quickly spot a good spot to land. Not the safest spot, just a good one. A relatively flat part of the ground with no sharp rocks present. I quite enjoyed the quick pace that I descended the mountain in, making good decisions on where to place my foot in a split second, then moving right along to make another good decision. No time to weigh the odds or make a calculated decision. That wasn’t necessary. As I sped along I realized I have an innate sense of where to step and am capable of descending safely relatively quickly. I just needed to trust that I would make a good decision in a flash. It’s interesting how when you trust that you can do something, you can.

This is often the case in life, too. I find myself moving more smoothly with less hesitation during my day off the trail as well when I remind myself that a good decision is all that’s needed. You don’t have to make the best decision at every juncture. Keep moving and learning as you go. On the trail and in life.