Do you tell yourself that you’ll get started on your big plans at some future date? Maybe you tell yourself that you can start a business after the kids graduate from college? Or, maybe you’ll just wait until Memorial Day to begin your exercise program; that next fall will be the best time to organize the garage? We’ve all done it. There always seems to be a good reason not to get started right here and now. When you do that – you are putting off your dreams. Here are eight reasons you’re still waiting to get started on your dreams and how to combat them!
Consider these excuses. Is one of them yours?
1. You’re waiting for the perfect time. Are you waiting for the stars to align and the heavens to tap you on the shoulder and give you permission? If so, you’ll be waiting for a long time. The time will never be perfect to get started on something significant, never, so just get started.
2. You’re waiting for something else to happen first. Maybe you’re waiting for the kids to move out or for the mortgage to be paid off. Or you’re waiting until your next promotion. Or you’re waiting until your parents pass away. Don’t hinge your dreams or your plans on someone else’s actions or an event.
3. You’re waiting until you have more money. Regardless of your budget, there’s something you can do to get started today. Even if it’s just doing research and learning new skills, you can do something. There’s never enough money. You’ll find the money you need along the way.
4. You’re waiting for Monday, or the first of the month, or the first of the year. So many people wait until Monday to start a diet, or the first of the month to begin an exercise routine. There’s nothing magical about any date on the calendar. The calendar is a man-made invention. There’s no reason to be bound by it. Everyday is a new beginning.
Ask yourself, will you get more accomplished if you start today or wait three weeks? Today is a s good as ever.
5. You’re waiting until you know more. Some people believe they need to know every shred of information related to their quest before they can get started. This simply isn’t true. It’s a procrastination technique. You don’t need to know a lot to begin. Learning opportunities will happen along the way.
6. You don’t really think you’ll be successful. It makes sense that you won’t get started if you believe you can’t be successful. But you know what? There probably will be failures along the way – and that is OK. When you challenge yourself you have to be willing to fail. If you’re guaranteed not to fail, then you are not pushing yourself. You’re not taking on a challenge. Get OK with failure and realize that you can always learn from the failure and start anew with more knowledge. Failure is part of the process. It just is. It is OK to start with a smaller objective. Feed your soul with small success to help fortify you against the setbacks. A perfect goal is one that you believe you can achieve that also excites you.
7. You’re afraid you will be successful. Many people are afraid of success. They’re comfortable with their current situation even if they don’t like it. They would rather have predictable misery than uncertain success. There’s no way to predict 100% what your life will be like if you’re successful. Focus on the positive aspects of achieving success. List out all of the benefits and visualize yourself enjoying those benefits. Know that you will be a role model to many others around you.
8. You’re scared. If you’re honest with yourself, this is the most likely reason you’re postponing the pursuit of your dreams. Whether you dread the feeling of being hungry on a diet, sweating on a treadmill, or making a fool out of yourself with a failed business, you’re simply afraid.
Make yourself more afraid of doing nothing. Imagine how terrible it would be to waste your life. Think about how awful it would be to never test yourself or to never have a chance of living your dreams. Imagine your life of unrealized potential. I call this the life of regret.
In most cases, it’s better to get started immediately, rather than waiting for just the right time to get started. Even a little progress is better than no progress. Whether you are taking baby steps or bunny hops, forward is the direction you want to be moving. Have faith in yourself and jump in with both feet.
You can’t be successful if you don’t get started. Your dreams are waiting for you.
And here is your chance to get the support you need to move forward with your dreams! I am here to help you. One step at a time, we will work on gaining clarity, designing a map, and overcoming all the road blocks and self-sabotaging behaviors that are holding you back. Help can be found at Moving Forward. Check it out. The course will have you start working towards your dreams the very first week.
Now that you know why you’re still waiting to get started on your dreams, it is time to take action. Move past our road block. As I always say, it all starts when you love yourself.
