Got a Vision and a Goal? "Just Do It!"

by Skip Cohen

I woke up about 5:30 this morning and stayed in bed trying to think about what I wanted to write about today. I came up empty! When I'm stuck for a topic I grab one of a half dozen daily motivational books to see what a few of my favorite writers chose for thoughts over the last few days.

Lou Mitchell in his book on positive thinking hit the perfect thought a few days ago - "Act Without Delay." He started with a quote for February 13th:

"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future.
Act now, without delay."
Simone de Beauvoir

He went on to write: The future is uncertain, and waiting for the perfect time can lead to missed opportunities. By acting now, we can make meaningful changes that steer our lives in the desired direction. Procrastination only delays our growth and fulfillment. Embracing action without delay empowers us to create the life we envision.

Are you living the life your younger self envisioned? And if not, is it for the better, or have you procrastinated and rationalized your way down the wrong path? It's so easy to get off-track from our goals, but at the same time, there's nothing wrong with changing direction.

None of us can turn back the clock and undo decisions we regret, but we can make sure we don't waste time headed in directions that don't make our hearts smile. If we've learned nothing else in the last couple of years, thanks to Mother Nature and politics, the future is constantly changing. The only consistency is that there is no consistency. So, if there's something you've always wanted to do...like Nike's old slogan...just do it!

When I was a kid, my Dad traveled a lot locally. On one of his trips, he found an abandoned rusted-out 1939 Ford in an old barn in Saegertown, PA. He came home excited and told me he wanted to find the owner, buy it, and the two of us would rebuild it together. That vision of his makes me laugh since neither of us knew anything about cars. This was all pre-Internet, so it's not like he'd been watching a YouTube video about rebuilding old classics. 

It took him six years to get us back to that barn in Saegertown together. When we got there, the barn was gone, and a new apartment building was in its place. He sighed and said, "I was afraid we waited too long."

And there's my point - we all have too many mañanas in our life. The future doesn't come with guarantees other than always arriving on time! If there's something you've always wanted to do, then what are you waiting for?

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with new adventures in whatever direction your heart is telling you to go. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect to make that change you've always wanted. You'll always have a few regrets, but the key is to learn from each one and change direction whenever it makes sense. Along the way, remember those people you love and trust the most - the ones who get those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about. They're in your life for a reason - let them help you achieve your dreams.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey.
Zig Ziglar