The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Are You Stuck in Neutral?

Jim Stewart is a blue-collar ironworker. He’s the metal lunch bucket type. Jim has an important decision to make. The feared rumors of the company’s closing are not water cooler chatter anymore; they are true. With the timeline unclear, Jim is frozen. Those ten years devoted to the company have amounted to a permanent layoff. He’s crushed. He’s frustrated. He’s ruminating about what has happened and what may happen. His rigidity is easy to understand. He thought he would retire from this place; now, the future is blurry. Caring for his family makes him wonder if they should move out of state or start a different career path across town. He’s torn and stuck because the possibilities seem overwhelming, and he visualizes both outcomes. He can’t see the difference between good and great.

While he redlines in neutral, his gut tells him that the job across town is right. His kids are too old for an out-of-state move, and their church is family. He gets advice, and people confirm what God has been saying. Jim is gripped with rational fear. He knows what he must do, and even his wife agrees that moving is not a viable solution. Fear paralyzes, and overthinking and overtalking leave a man lying in exhaustive frustration.

Overthinking and overtalking highjack’s ability to act. The more hesitant one becomes, the greater tendency to abandon something valuable, and the only thing more powerful than this sinking feeling is the regret when time has run out.

Overthinking and over-talking are signs of passivity. Move swiftly without overthinking. Too much thinking leads to hesitation. Hesitation to inaction. Inaction to passivity. Passivity to losing that battle that is worth winning.

Jim’s battle is saying ‘yes’ to a future across town while letting go of a past dream.

What’s yours?

Be a mentor.

Find a mentor.

Be a better man.

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