“I’ll get to it WHEN…”
"I'll start when everything slows down."
I've helped people for decades to find motivation to pursue that which they find important. But for as many people that I've helped, there has been a hundred who just "weren't ready” :
"Once I get a little closer to my goal, then I'll be ready to take bigger steps."
"After my vacation is over that's when I can get serious."
"When I have some more time, I'll do it."
And one of the most debilitating (and prevalent ones in our current time):
"I need to wait for things to get back to normal."
But what is normal? How things were in the past? How far in the past? When you first started your job? When you were in college and had less responsibility? When you were toddler? What arbitrary point in time were things normal? We can all agree that right now, things are challenging. But what makes them different than your definition of "normal"? Perhaps the normal you're searching for is instead comfort, order, consistency?
Oftentimes, our normal is simply a self-conceived notion of comfort, regularity, for simplicity. It’s that feeling we long for from our younger days when we had less responsibility. But as we grow, as our ability to handle new and exciting challenges increases, that "normal" no longer exists. And would you want it to? Would you want to go back to having less ability, less reward, play some meaningful interaction in your day?
And, to add even more uncertainty this plan of waiting, when will normal happen again?
Perhaps it is not the lack of time keeping you from your goal, but instead your lack of priority. If you had three more hours in your day right now, would you spend it on your dream? Or would you use it as that chance to finally relax? Or perhaps fill it with other to-dos?
An (impossible) increase in time will not increase your energy to succeed, your motivation to prioritize. There are many hours in the day that we squander now, doing things for comfort to avoid the things we “feel” we need to do to succeed. (Check out the Actions to Take/Thoughts to Ponder below to help you start to think about if you really NEEd to be doing this in the first place).
I do not have an answer for what your time should be spent on, that is for you to decide. But after a decade pondering why people do not take the first steps toward success, and hearing this reason time and time again, I’ve found that it is neither time nor circumstance that prevents us from moving forward. It’s prioritization, and motivation. What I ask instead is to create some space in your life to think about what is really important to you….is that podcast worth the energy if you aren’t enjoying it? Is reading business books the right thing if you could be spending your time (and enjoy) BUILDING a business with someone who already has the knowledge?
And if that itch really does need scratched…..take some time to reflect where it falls on your list of priorities. And then start scratching.
“When” is now. Or perhaps it is not a priority at all.
Actions to Take/Thoughts to Ponder
What’s one thing you feel you need to be doing that you are currently not? (i.e. recording your podcast, exercise, etc.) What is it about that thing you feel is so important? Who feels this way, you or society?
If you were to not do this thing, what would your life look like? What would you miss out on? What would you gain?
If you were to strip away the details and pre-conceived notions of the importance of this activity, what is the meaning behind doing it? (i.e. better mental health, improved connections with your clientele, a better relationship) Is there another means that you could use to fill that need?
If you haven’t been successful in starting this new “thing,” try this: Let go of it for 2 weeks. Don’t think about it, don’t plan for it, don’t share it with others. Just let it be. If it fades away in two weeks, it isn’t a priority. If it stays with you, find a method (Coach, Consultant, Expert) to help you begin the first steps to pursue it.