"Don't worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon"

John Madden’s memorable saying, “Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon,” celebrates decisive action over overthinking and concern about every possible obstacle. The imagery calls to mind a workman given an impossible-seeming task: the horse is literally blind, yet his job is simply to load the wagon and move forward, rather than fixate on what might go wrong. The essence is a call to focus on your role in any enterprise, channelling energy into steps you can take right now rather than worrying about issues that may never come to pass.

Madden’s advice resonates in situations where hesitation, doubt, or fear of imperfection creep in. Too often, people pause indefinitely, analyzing every weakness or shortfall in their resources, abilities, or the circumstances around them. They may grow absorbed by flaws, real or imagined, in the ‘horse’ that’s meant to pull them forward, whether that’s a project, a plan, or even their self-confidence. But progress is achieved by action, even if conditions are less than perfect.

Just as the wagon must be loaded regardless of the horse’s condition, meaningful work happens when people take responsibility for what can be done, rather than spending time assigning blame or predicting failure. Action itself becomes the antidote to anxiety and uncertainty. The future is always partly unknown; focusing on obstacles that aren’t immediately solvable distracts from steps that can make a difference today.

Ultimately, Madden’s words capture a spirit of practicality, resilience, and courage. Success is rarely about perfect circumstances; it’s forged by those who push forward regardless, doing their job, helping their team, keeping things moving, even if some variables are beyond their control. Prioritize effort and commitment in the face of adversity, and extraordinary achievements may follow, even if the ‘horse’ you’re counting on isn’t perfect.