Lately, I’ve been saying this phrase a lot: “Do it now, don’t wait until later.” I say it to myself when I need a push to take action now, even when I don’t feel like it. I say it to health coaching clients trying to break old habits. I say it to loved ones who are stuck in procrastination. And today, I’m saying it to you. Whatever it is you’ve been meaning to do- take action now. Don’t wait until later.
Why not wait?
“Waiting” is a privilege. Of course, there are times and places where it is appropriate and quite necessary to wait—strategically speaking (i.e. family decisions, medical decisions, business, career opportunities, large purchases, etc). However, having the privilege to “wait” for the other, likely simpler, stuff suggests that you’re not concerned about time, money, resources, or your health. You expect, or assume, that the latter will always be on your side and in your favor. But what if they aren’t? Is there something or a few things on your list today that you’d regret not doing or taking care if tomorrow never came? This sounds kinda morbid, I know, but it’s a question that helps me regain perspective.
What should I be doing now?
Doing it now and not waiting until later is likely subjective and personal to you. Here are some examples…Maybe you have a trip coming up in a couple of months and still haven’t gotten your Real I.D. Maybe an old friend or colleague continues to pop up in your mind and you’ve been meaning to reach out but still haven’t. You’ve had a nagging cough and mild chest pain for weeks that you attribute to allergies, but your busy schedule interferes with the time it takes to seek medical care. Your dad has been calling you for the last few evenings, but you’ll call him back.
In the examples above, what if you’re unable to secure an appointment for your Real I.D. before your trip? What if your friend/colleague has been struggling and could benefit from your outreach? What if coughing and chest pain is not just allergy related? Your should-be-doing-now and not waiting-until-later could be several things. Evaluate what they are and try to do them. You’d be amazed by what other tasks you’re able to accomplish just by crossing off one or two things from your list.
Is waiting until later risky?
As we can witness in our immediate surroundings, on social media and news outlets, there can be so much tragedy, turmoil and unexpected turns of events at any point in time or all the time. It is not for me or anyone though to tell someone else that waiting until later is risky, but it could be. That’s for you to sort out. Again, what would you regret not doing, saying or taking care of if tomorrow never came? We all live our lives the best we can with the information and resources we have available to us. Let this post encourage you to move where there should be movement in your life, big or small, grand or mundane.
Check out the link to my latest post Leave People Better Than You Found Them.
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