Real Change Can’t Wait

Welcome to "Staying Relevant with Mitchell Levy," your weekly newsletter dedicated to helping you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the modern world. Every week, we'll delve into the strategies, practices, and insights that empower you to adapt, evolve, and thrive amidst disruption.?

Inspired by the wisdom of Marshall Goldsmith and rooted in the principles of credibility and clarity, this article challenges our collective illusion: the idea that we can hustle through today, assuming that tomorrow will magically present the ideal moment for transformation.?

We all tell ourselves the same story: I’ll make a change soon—just not today. With schedules packed to the brim and tasks piling up, it feels impossible to focus on anything more than just getting through the day. But the truth is, this delay is a trap—a convenient lie we tell ourselves. Real change can’t wait, and if we want to transform our lives and work, we need to act now.

The Seduction of “Later”

Why do we default to "later"? It's comfortable, easy, and lets us off the hook. Postponing change feels like a temporary pause, but it’s actually a subtle form of self-sabotage. We assume that tomorrow will bring the magical clarity and motivation we lack today. But ask yourself: When has "later" ever truly transformed anything?

Here’s the problem: Later keeps us in a holding pattern, giving us the illusion of progress while we’re stuck in the same place. If we want different results, we need to challenge the "later" mentality and embrace the uncomfortable truth that the time for real change is right now.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Delaying change impacts us more than we realize:

• Missed Opportunities: The “I’ll do it later” mindset blinds us to current opportunities for growth, success, and fulfillment.
• Credibility Damage: By putting off actions that align with our purpose, we erode our own credibility, both with ourselves and with others.
• Stagnation in All Forms: When we keep pushing transformation to tomorrow, we prevent ourselves from living our best lives today.

Breaking Free: How to Make Real Change Now

Real change doesn’t come from a single grand act. It’s about building momentum through consistent, small actions that align with who you want to be. Here’s how to start:

1. Get Clarity on Your Purpose Define what you’re here to accomplish—your Customer Point of Possibilities (CPoP). Think about who you serve and the unique problem you solve. This one simple statement will serve as your compass, guiding you through distractions.
2. Start with Micro-Actions Massive changes are intimidating. Begin with small steps that align with your purpose. A quick email to a new contact, a personal journal entry, or even a small tweak in how you approach meetings—these micro-actions add up to powerful shifts over time.
3. Hold Yourself Accountable Credibility is built on reliability. Set weekly check-ins with yourself to assess if you’re following through on actions that align with your purpose. Keeping a journal or accountability partner can help you stick to it.
4. Eliminate Credcrud “Credcrud” is anything—an action, word, or habit—that detracts from your credibility. Take stock of areas where your behavior might be misaligned with your values. Weed out these distractions and see your momentum grow.
5. Engage Your Community Transformation is hard to sustain alone. Surround yourself with a network that supports your growth. Ask for feedback, learn from others, and use that insight to stay on course.

The Power of Choosing “Now”

Transformation doesn’t come from grand resolutions or big announcements. It comes from choosing—over and over again—to align your actions with your purpose, starting today. If you want real change, you don’t need a massive overhaul. You just need to stop waiting.

The truth? Tomorrow is no different from today—unless you decide to make it so. By choosing to start now, you send a clear message to yourself and to others: I’m here, I’m present, and I’m ready to live with purpose.