“Sometimes you gotta just go. It’s not about waiting for the perfect time, but realizing you can make NOW the perfect time.”
Have you ever been waiting for the perfect time to do something?
follow a dream
break a bad habit
make a change
This is something I am sooooo familiar with because I feel like I have lived my life “waiting for the perfect time”.
I used to delay things for months and even years all because I would decide the time wasn’t right. Time would go on and on and I would look up and the time would still not feel 100% right … So, I would just wait some more.
I convinced myself that I just wasn’t ready and that I needed more time. I would remind myself that “patience is a virtue” and that “haste makes waste”.
And, while I realize there are definitely times where there is value in being patient and waiting for the “perfect time”; I also realize you have to look closely at each situation because “waiting for the perfect time” is sometimes just a perfect excuse.
It can even allow you to rationalize not doing something today that you probably should.
So, that’s why I have started to look really closely at all the things I put on “hold”, and I am hoping you will join me and also take a look at whatever it is you may have put on hold.
Why?
Because if we are really going to create and live the life we want, we’ve got to be on the lookout for excuses and really make sure we are always taking advantage of the possibilities of Today.
We’ve got to rethink what really is possible and make sure we aren’t getting in our own way.
It doesn’t mean we should rush into things or push ourselves to do things too quickly when we aren’t prepared. Being prepared is very important.
But, we do have to be aware of the trap of “waiting for the perfect time” and recognize how much control we really do have to make NOW the perfect time.
If something really feels right, there’s no need to just sit back and wait, we can and should start preparing to lean in the direction we want today.
the possibility of today:
Step 1: Take a look at whatever it is you have put on hold. Is this something you really want? Does it just feel right to you deep down? If the answer is yes, it’s probably time to get moving on what you want.
Step 2: Decide that you are going to make NOW the “perfect time” regardless of whatever else is happening. It doesn’t mean that you have to literally make “a move” or make a drastic change today, but it does mean that you should start preparing so you can make a move in the future. Decide Today you are going to do whatever you need to in order to start preparing to make it happen. No more excuses.
Step 3: Create the space in your day to start leaning in the direction you want to go. We are always going to have a lot going on and so we need to create the time in our day to focus on creating whatever it is we want. Even if you are only able to find an extra 10 minutes, you can use even that small amount of time to work on whatever it is you want. It’s all about making sure you do something (even something small) every single day.
Step 4: Put together a 30 day action plan. What are things you can do immediately in the next 30 days? They don’t have to be huge things. Small steps definitely count and are usually the best place to start.
Step 5: Take a step Today. Again, you don’t have to take a quantum leap, a babystep is perfectly fine. It’s all about leaning in the direction you want to go and committing to taking step after step every single day.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
I am excited to share that The Possibility of Today is going to be getting a new look very soon. You will have to let me know what you think of the new design. Also, please let me know what you think about this post in the comment section. I always love to hear your thoughts.
Sibyl,
I can’t wait to see the new look!
I so agree to about waiting……I used to be the same way too. No more more waiting. I definitely love the Nike logo: Just do it!
Hey Angela: So glad you agree and that you have adopted the philosophy … No more waiting. That is sooo the way to go:) You will totally have to tell me what you think about the new look and feel. I am going to need feedback:)
Hi Sibyl,
Good topic. I like this line – “waiting for the perfect time” is sometimes just a perfect excuse.
We do often wait convincing ourselves that we cannot move forward for whatever reason, and yet it may just be fear that is holding us back. I waited for about 5 years before I started my blog. I knew wanted an online project, but just couldn’t quite zero in on my approach. Now I’m loving it and wish I had started earlier. That’s all part of the journey, I suppose. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hey Cathy:) So glad you dropped by and that you liked the post. I am also so glad that you started your blog:) You have something really special over there. Thanks so much again for dropping by and taking the time to comment.
I am making my 30 day action plan right now. Great advice!
Hey Galen:) Always so great to hear from you. How have you been? I totally need to drop by your site and check it out. It’s been way too long. So glad you are putting together that 30 day action plan:) Keep me updated.
Sibyl,
I really like what you say in this article. Especially reminding us that even taking small steps are important to help us lean in the direction of our dreams. I have put off almost all of my dreams most of my life, and it’s just been the last couple of years that i’m starting to reach towards my dreams again, clarifying and creating new ones as well.
Thank you so much for your positive posts. I look forward to them everyday.
Take care,
Gloria: I am so glad that you are taking steps toward your dreams. That is what it is all about. I totally know what you are saying about putting off your dreams. I sooooo did that for way to long. I think once you get in the habit though of taking steps toward what you want. You start taking more and more steps. Thank you so much for dropping by.
Great post Sibyl! The only way we’ll ever know if those things we’re thinking and dreaming about are really right for us is to go out and start to experience them. And everything happens in baby steps.
When I first left corporate America, there was never a right time. The pain of staying and the hope that there was more to life was what pushed me out the door. Like you said, I just made now the time to go. And it all worked out beautifully!
Fear and all the “what if’s” can keep us stuck. I like to play the worst case scenario game when I have fear of moving forward. I ask myself “What’s the worst that could possibly happen?” As long as my death isn’t the answer, it’s never that bad. Usually the answer is something I’ve already experienced and learned from. And sometimes the worst case is to continue to stay where I am.
Can’t wait to see the new look!
Hey Paige: Thanks so much for the comment. I didn’t know you had chosen to left corporate America. I need to learn more about you:) I think we have A LOT in common:) I totally love what you suggested about the worst case scenario game. It really is a great way to keep things in perspective and get moving. Thanks so much for dropping by. You will totally have to let me know what you think of the new look:)
Love the post and I can absolutely relate. I am always procrastinating, especially with tasks that I don’t particular like to do. However, the quicker you take action, the faster it is out of your mind.
At the same time, I am always second-guessing myself and that tends to hold me back from taking the first step. When the first thoughts of writing The Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Body Image came to my mind, I thought that I was not ready yet to create a product, but I am SO glad I made the first step and simply sat down to write a few paragraphs. From that moment on, I knew it was the perfect time to finally do what I believe in.
And the rewards have been more than amazing.
If you want to achieve something great, you need to start doing it today or else you’ll probably never do it.
Anne-Sophie: Thanks so much for the comment and the real world example of how it plays out. I think you are so right that you just have to push yourself to take that first step and push through your doubts. Once you can do that, it is amazing how things can start coming together. Thanks again for the comment and for dropping by.
Sibyl,
so many good things to ponder here, I think I will need to reread this! It isn’t just about making changes, but about the courage to change bad habits and form new ones too…..
THank you for posting this. I love your step by step plan.
In Harmony,
Jen
Hey Jen: So glad that you liked the post and you are so right that it is also about the courage to change bad habits. I have found that sometimes the best way to change a bad habit is to fall in love with its opposite. In the beginning, you may just be pretending to love “the opposite” but it eventually starts sticking:) Thanks for the comment.
Hi Sibyl
I know how you like Latin
I know how you like quotes
…so here is the translation of the latin phrase used in the novel ‘Lonesome Dove’.
‘”Uva uvam viviendo vara fit”
This loosely translates:
‘A cluster of grapes becomes a different cluster of grapes through living’
…or
‘One vine becomes the whole vine’
…or
‘One grape causes the others to ripen’
Regards to ‘following a dream’ I really liked this Dr. Seuss quote that Preeti provided at her site, which can really apply to all successfull dreams that are realized:
3. “You know you’re in love when you don’t want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” -Dr. Seuss
Thanks Sibyl!
Hilarious:) Totally laughing at that Latin comment Rand. You are so right:) Thanks so much for the comment and for dropping by.
The new look – can’t wait.
And the post, sharing with my Facebook fan peeps. THANK YOU for that great photo … it says it all but your writing takes it to an even deeper level, Sibyl. Keep this up. You are a shining star!
I stumbled upon your post from ‘The Bold Life’ and I’m very glad I did.
This is something I’ve struggled with hugely since I was a small child to the point of obsession. I won’t say that now I just ‘do it’ flawlessly without excuses, but recently I have realized that more often than not, I am capable of meeting the majority of the consequences of whatever action I’m about to take head on WHEN THEY HAPPEN. If I think about what I would hypothetically do, my thoughts turn into compulsive worry. But when I just take action, I find I worry less, and if something difficult does happen because of it, I am able to deal with it.
Thanks for the lovely post. You have a new fan!
Yeah…welcome Tathata:) I am so glad that Tess sent you my way:) I am a huge fan of Tess and the Bold Life. Isn’t she just great? I think what you said is right on point. If you can just find a way to take action and move in the direction you want to go, things have a way of unfolding perfectly. Thanks again for dropping by. It’s great to have you here.
Small steps are so important. The things I’ve achieved in my life have always been achieved by just making sure that something is done every day. I recently returned from climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and I thought about this idea a lot there. When climbing that mountain, there are times when you just want to quit. The key is to focus on just one goal at a time- getting to the next stop, keeping going for another hour, just continue to put one foot in front of another. Do that and, before you know it, you are standing above the clouds looking back at how far you’ve come and marveling at what you just did!
Wow…I am sure that was an amazing experience you had at Mt. Kilimanjaro. I loved the analogy you drew and totally agree. If you can just find a way to keep going and focus on one goal at time, you really can always get to where you want to be. Thanks Dara so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.
Love this: waiting for the perfect time is sometimes just a perfect excuse!
This has been eliminate excuses week at my blog. It seems to be a theme that I’m seeing across the web this week. Fascinating.
Our excuses allow us to hide behind our fears, don’t they?
Our excuses paralyze us and then we turn them into beliefs and they imprison us.
all very true and very interesting..life’s too short not to take opportunities and make things happen.
How true that statement is Peter:) Life really is too short to waste anytime doing nonsense. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it.