Did Yogi Berra Say "You Can’t Build Momentum While Standing Still?"

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Hey, it’s David

Welcome back to M&A from the Plane, quick stories and insights drawn from the many miles I log in the air talking to business owners, founders, and dealmakers.

The other day, I was reflecting on a situation I’ve seen more than once:

A team identifies a clear operational move, one that could conservatively unlock $3 million in ROI.

The opportunity is obvious.
The math checks out.
The path forward is mapped.

And yet… weeks pass.
Talk continues.
But action doesn’t.

The Gate Agent Called Boarding But No One Got on the Plane

No new investment needed.
No new team required.
Just a commitment to change the process.

But even with everything lined up… even with clear blue skies ahead, the hesitation remains.

And it’s a reminder of a critical truth in business:

People fear the possibility of unseen pain more than they desire the certainty of gain.

It’s not the plan that’s missing.
It’s the trust that stepping forward won’t hurt worse than standing still.

Why Big Opportunities Stall Out

Across deals, growth plans, and turnarounds, the pattern is the same:

• Unseen Pain > Visible Opportunity - Fear is vague. ROI is specific. Guess which one wins by default? If you selected the former, you are a winner!

• Change = Threat - Even positive change forces people to give up control, habits, and comfort.

• Success Requires Emotional Buy-In - Logic alone doesn’t move people. Belief does.

Without belief, even the best strategies die at the gate.

This Decision Needs to Be Made

There’s always a moment when a business faces two options:

1. Wait for certainty and watch the opportunity window shrink.

2. Move forward with calculated trust and capture momentum while it’s available.

The $3M ROI?
It’s not a technical hurdle.
It’s a leadership hurdle.

Final Thought

You can have the right opportunity, the right numbers, and the right plan.

But if you don’t have the right commitment to act, the plane never leaves the ground.

The biggest risk isn’t turbulence in the air.
It’s waiting so long you miss the flight entirely.

If you're sitting on an opportunity but can’t quite move it forward, maybe it's time for a different kind of checklist.

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David