Hope Springs Eternal, But So Does Procrastination

It’s a new year and the middle of a new quarter from a business perspective. As the saying goes, “Hope springs eternal.” Unfortunately, so does procrastination.

Just as you may have probably felt a sense of urgency at the end of 2022, you may feel like you have plenty of time in 2023. However, time goes by quickly.

Every week, when I record my audio messages, I put them into a monthly folder inside an annual folder. Recently, before I created the 2023 folder, I scrolled through all the folders dating back to 2009. More than the ball dropping on New Year’s Eve, this is the moment that time hits me the most.

Each year, it seems like there’s a shorter time between these annual folders. I feel fortunate that I have spent my time well over this last decade in terms of my career and with my family. However, it also makes me feel a sense of urgency for everything I want to experience or accomplish with the time I have left. This is one way I gain perspective and encourages me to act on important things I’ve been putting off.

You may think you have plenty of time this year or in the future. But time passes at an increased rate for you each year. Don’t you feel it?

Here’s what I’m suggesting: It would help if you had the same focus and urgency in Q1 as you did at year-end. You need to set goals to determine actions and have an accountability system. This is how we make the best use of our time.

I have watched time go by in this industry for 25 years. I’ve seen some people make fantastic use of their time while others have only made modest progress toward their goals.

In 2023, be the former.