We humans are a contradictory lot. We don’t like to wait in line, but we’re more than content with waiting for the perfect moment – sometimes for days, or even years to start building the business or living the life we truly want. For example, most people will wait to start a diet or exercise program on a Monday, or the first of the month, or New Year’s Day. Even when we’re talking about something as important as health, it’s very uncommon for someone to state they are going to make changes right this minute.
That attitude also applies to starting, building, and growing your business. For some reason, we believe that everything must be perfect before we can put our stories, our products, and services out there.
I know this because I’ve done it too. I have so many half-finished projects here that are just waiting for the “perfect moment” for me to pick them back up again. And do you know what I found?
Waiting for the perfect moment is a crock. Waiting for the perfect moment is the fear and the lack of confidence talking.
Waiting for the perfect moment is flawed reasoning and here are 8 reasons why:
Reason #1: Life is too darn short.
My mother always thought when she turned 65 she’d retire, and travel, and do all the things that she put off while working for a living. She had a fatal heart attack getting out of bed one morning… at age 63.
Eventually, time runs out. Sooner for some than others. If you keep procrastinating and waiting for everything to be perfect, you’re taking a chance that your time will run out before you even get started.
Reason #2: Life always gets in the way.
How many times have you used the excuse “life just got in the way” to justify putting off dreams and projects that you know in your heart would make a difference in your life, and the lives of others?
Waiting for the right moment is like saving the money you have left over at the end of the month. You’ll never have any time to spare, just as you’ll never have any money left over.
Make time now to start the important things you want to do or accomplish. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to get started.
Reason #3: Waiting is the mother of regret.
Regret is one of those dishes you don’t ever want to have to taste.
You don’t really want to look back and think “I really should have,” or “If only I would have…” And I’m not talking about just at the end of your life. When it comes to business even waiting a day can cost you opportunities and profits that you could be using to create a better life for yourself and the people you serve.
Few things are worse than regret, especially when you’re no longer in the position to do anything about it. You might still be able to climb a mountain or learn to play the piano at the age of 80, but it might be easier when you’re 45. You’ll also have more time to enjoy it!
Reason #4: Waiting means you’re not learning.
Waiting for the perfect moment means you’re in a state of limbo. By not getting started you’re not using the skills you already have, nor are you learning anything new. And believe me, you always learn something new when you start a new project.
Reason #5: Waiting is passive.
Each day is filled with unique moments. It’s not necessary to wait until the perfect storm of opportunity, convenience, and motivation finally occurs. The moment that you choose the start something new is unique in itself. But if you play the waiting game for too long, many unique moments will pass by without you making the most of them.
Reason #6: Waiting means a lack of control.
While you’re waiting for the perfect situation to occur, you’re giving away control of your life. One common symptom among those with depression is the belief that they lack control over their lives. As a soulpreneur, you are the only one who has control over your business, so waiting means that you are making the choice to give up control to outside forces.
Don’t wait! Take action now to create the business and the life you want and take back your control.
Reason #7: Taking action and failing is better than doing nothing at all.
As a very wise man once said:
You only fail when you stop trying. ~Albert Einstein
Decide that right now is the best moment to get started, even if it’s not that perfect moment you envisioned. Because even if you fail, you’re still learning, still taking action, and still creating the best life you can.
One last reason…
Reason #8: Waiting devalues your time.
When you put things off you devalue your time. Because once it’s gone, you’ll never get it back again. And who knows what you could do, what opportunities you could create with the time you spend waiting for the perfect moment?
When you value your time, you make every moment count. Every moment is important because you’re important, and what you have ot share with the world is important. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to finally arrive.
All you really need to get started today is the courage to take that first baby step. Do you have the courage to get started or are you still waiting for the perfect moment?
