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Why You Struggle with Making Decisions: Lessons from Moses on Simplicity, Trust, and Intentionality


There are moments in life when a story grips you—not because it is new, but because it mirrors the journey you’re on. Listening to Moses Ng’ang’a speak at our men’s gathering, I felt such a moment. His words about living by values—simplicity, trust, and radical intentionality—were not abstract theories. They were lived realities, tested through fire, and refined into wisdom.

His story reminded me of the biblical Moses. The young, brash prince who thought he was destined to save his people by force, only to flee into the wilderness when his pride led him astray. It took forty years of tending sheep, silence, and humility before he was ready to return and fulfill his mission. The parallel was unmistakable: transformation requires stripping away pride, embracing simplicity, and grounding oneself in values that outlast circumstances.

In today’s fast-moving world—where instant gratification is glorified and choices are endless—Moses Ng’ang’a’s life offers a powerful blueprint. What I walked away with can be summed up in three lessons: radical trust, the power of simplicity, and the discipline of intentionality.

 

Lesson 1: Radical Trust Builds Unshakable Foundations

As a young man, Moses made one of the most defining choices of his life: he chose his marriage partner not based on looks, wealth, or status, but on radical trust. For him, trust was not optional—it was the very fabric of relationship.

Think about how rare that is today. We live in a culture obsessed with appearances. Swipe left, swipe right—decisions are made in seconds. But Moses looked deeper. He understood that trust, once established, creates freedom. When you trust completely—and are trusted in return—you move through life lighter, freer, and less distracted by suspicion or fear.

It struck me that this same principle applies far beyond relationships. In habit coaching, trust in yourself is the cornerstone. If you don’t trust yourself to follow through, no system or strategy will save you. Radical trust means keeping the promises you make to yourself, even when no one is watching. It means deciding once and living by that decision consistently, whether it’s your morning routine, financial discipline, or health habits.

Moses’ example reminded me that trust is not just an emotion; it’s a discipline. And when you cultivate it, you create stability in a world that thrives on chaos.

 

Lesson 2: Simplicity is Strength, Not Limitation

One of Moses’ core values is simplicity. His mother instilled it in him early, and it shaped how he approaches every decision. To him, simplicity is not deprivation—it is freedom.

Let me illustrate this with a simple metaphor: imagine walking into a supermarket with fifty brands of toothpaste. If you’ve already decided you only use Sensodyne, you walk straight to the shelf, pick it up, and leave. While others waste time, energy, and mental bandwidth debating options, you conserve yours for what truly matters.

This isn’t just about toothpaste—it’s about life. The more values-driven and simple your decisions, the more clarity you enjoy. Simplicity reduces decision fatigue, saves time, and protects you from distractions that derail your long-term goals.

For Moses, simplicity also extended to finances. He viewed debt not as a trap but as a tool. By cutting through the illusion of instant gratification, he used borrowed resources like a trained Navy SEAL—surgically, strategically, and always with the long-term in mind.

Most of us, however, let complexity seduce us. We’re swayed by trends, moods, and endless opinions. Moses’ life challenged me to embrace simplicity as a superpower. In a noisy world, those who live simply stand out with quiet strength.

 

Lesson 3: Intentionality Transforms Knowledge into Wisdom

The third and perhaps most powerful lesson from Moses was his radical intentionality. He doesn’t drift through life. Every choice, every action, every conversation is deliberate. He doesn’t just gather knowledge—he goes to the source to understand it deeply. When he was exploring the stock market, he didn’t rely on second-hand reports. He went straight to the Nairobi bourse, observed traders, and learned firsthand.

This intentionality is rare. Many people are drowning in knowledge but starving for wisdom. We attend seminars, read books, watch videos—but few take the step of applying what they know with consistency. That’s why most never experience the compounding effect of small, disciplined habits over time.

Moses, on the other hand, is enthralled by the principle of compound interest—not just in finance, but in life. He knows that disciplined actions, repeated daily, create exponential results. His intentionality turns values into habits, and habits into character.

For me, this was a wake-up call. How often do we claim to “know” something, yet fail to live it out? Intentionality bridges that gap. It turns knowledge into transformation.

 

Conclusion: The Journey of Becoming

The lesson I carried home from Moses’ talk is this: transformation is a journey. Like the biblical Moses, we must move from pride to humility, from ego to self-awareness, from chasing quick wins to building lasting foundations.

Living by values may not look glamorous. In fact, it often looks restrictive. But the truth is the opposite: values empower you. They free you from endless choices, shield you from distractions, and give you the strength to stay the course when others falter.

We did not immediately grasp the clarity Moses was pressing upon us, but it lingered on. His life was a mirror—a reminder that radical trust, simplicity, and intentionality are not just lofty ideals. They are practical tools for living with purpose.

 And so I challenge you:

  • Decide on your values.
  • Live by them daily, no matter what.
  • Trust yourself enough to keep your word.
  • Simplify your life to amplify what matters.
  • Be intentional, turning knowledge into wisdom.

 That is how transformation happens. That is how ordinary men and women become leaders of purpose.

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