The future is a myth

"I'd love to start in May. But I've got so much on. Realistically, I'll be able to start in January 2021."

Wait, what?

This was a conversation I had a while ago with a lovely guy who wants to write a book.

He's busy (man, I get that – this past two weeks has been craaaaaaazy for me).

Here's the thing, though. Two things, actually.

Thing the first: unless he sorts out the challenges in his business that mean he's so busy he can't even think about starting a project for a whole year, nothing will ever change.

He'll never do the things he really wants to do because he's too busy chasing his own tail.

Thing the second: if he sticks with his January 2021 aim, he will never write a book. I know this from experience.

I mean, I might be wrong, but I don't think I am.

I've heard, for years, from people in and out of business, that they're "going to do X amazing thing in 6 months".

Do they do it?

Nope.

And that's sucky, because without exception the amazing thing they wanted to do truly was amazing.

The only time any of us have is right now.

The future is a myth; something that we may get to experience if we're lucky enough to make it through the next day, and the next.

I've done it myself: oh, I'll learn a new language one day, when I have time.

"When I have time" HAHAHAHAHA! (If you know me at all, you'll know how ridiculously full my life is)

So last year, I downloaded the Duolingo app and now I'm learning Spanish. Just for 15 minutes a day, every day. And guess what? I have time.

If there's something I really want to do, I start it right now. Today. Because otherwise I know it isn't going to happen.

And when I say "start it right now" I don't necessarily mean drop everything and literally start. I might enrol in a course or book the time into my calendar from a certain date, or otherwise make the commitment that means I'll do the thing.

So my question, and my truth, for you today is: what do you really want to do? What are you putting off?

Maybe it's writing your book. Do you really want to write your book? If not, stop telling yourself you're going to do it, because you won't. And that's fine.

If you do want to write a book, though, stop putting it off. You'll never be "ready". The only time to get started is right now.

Give yourself permission to do the thing you really want to do, then damn well do it.

* * *

p.s. best place to start? With my book. Which you can get right here.

p.p.s. this advice isn't just for people writing books. It's for anyone who wants to do anything big and world-changing. Don't wait for the right time; there isn't one. Start now.