The Time May Never Be Right But...

  When The Time is Right

The phrase "When The Time Is Right" has been used to describe a period where everything lines up perfectly. You have received confirmation that nothing will go wrong, the outcome has already been pre- approved for success, no sweat or tears will be necessary, and all things will wait on us to push the button to begin. There will be no stress, sacrifice, or superstition involved. The Time is Right for takeoff towards reaching our dreams and destiny. Wow, that was easy! Man, so this is all I had to do to ensure the time was right?  I merely only have to show up to receive the award? Okay, cool. Sign me up. Now, as wonderful as that might be to imagine, I am unable to recall a situation where the time was right without doubt or delay. No, the time is never going to be absolutely right, so now is the time to make some key decisions towards determining what to do about the time we are currently living.

If the time is not right, what can we do?

1. Do nothing until the time is right. Now, if we wait for the time to be right before taking action, it appears that this option will have us do nothing. We will stay in our current stuck situation lamenting on how nothing ever seems to be in our favor. We will complain about how life has passed us by and the breaks never come our way. At best, we will go around in circles with minimal forward progress. Chances are that we will become Bitter rather than Better. Cranky and not Courageous. Petty rather than Progressive. Could the story turn out differently? Well, part of seeing results come when we take action. If we do nothing, all signs point towards nothing of relevance happening. So, I would say chances are not very good.
2.  We get started and quit at the first sign of pushback or resistance. We got started. Thru this action, there was some change and movement in a forward direction. We saw what might have been possible if we had continued. We also experience the frustration of a setback causing our reversal movement. Now, by all means, there was success in starting. This might apply to the person who is trying to stop smoking, lose weight, change careers, or even start a new business. As a former smoker, I lost count of the number of times that I stopped for a short period. There were several periods of days, weeks, and in fact, one time, for 9 months. However, for whatever reason, I picked them back up. I actually ended up increasing the amount I smoked for the last two years. The good news is that as of early 2002, I have been fortunate to have been smoke free. So, we gotten a taste of what starting something new (or stopping in this case) and several benefits that came about as a result. We started yet something caused us to stop along the way and reverse course back to what was comfortable. So, in this example, we are halfway to the desired result.
3. We throw caution to the wind and get started. In this example, we recognize that the time may not be perfect while also accepting that there is no turning back. However,(and this is a game changer), the pain of standing still pales in comparison to the pain of trying something new. Or, in my above example, I was tired of coughing, sick of the smell, and frankly tired of wasting money. Now, if you are reading this and you smoke, this is not a judgement or plea for you to do anything. In fact, one other thing I have learned is that we are not going to be fully on board just because someone else tells us it is time. No, we have to assess our own situation and determine what our own time looks like. When we take a chance and begin, we have no clue how the story is going to turn out. Chances are good that we have gone the way as described in number 2. We started yet fell off along the way. The good news is that you have some experience in starting. We now have some experience and recollection on certain things we can improve upon or do differently. The key is to get back up and keep pressing forward. We are going to feel the following  

Fear

  Uncertainty 

Pain

Second thoughts 

Indecisiveness

Pressure 

Frustration

I am sure there are many more that could be included but these are but a few emotions that will come up that can derail our pursuit. Once we have an idea of certain things that can happen, we are in a better position to manage what can potentially happen. 

One of the best things we can do to influence the chances of success is to talk to someone who has gone thru what we are attempting to do. Most people are happy to share their experiences because it reconfirms why they originally did what you are doing. Passing it onward only strengthens why they did it in the first place. The person who is trying to lose weight benefits from talking to someone who lost a similar amount. People who are recovering alcoholics or addicts are extraordinary resources for the person who is trying to become clean. The person who raised a family while studying for a masters degree is going to provide an invaluable perspective. The key is to develop a circle of support and influence towards helping you. You are not alone and frankly your chances profoundly increase when you have and trust your circle. However, none of this matters, unless, and until you decide to get started and remain engaged. The chances for success increase by staying with it and working thru it until you complete the goal. Imagine what might not have happened if someone waited on the right time. As importantly, if you look at this day next year, are you going to wonder what might have happened if you had gotten started? Will Regret begin to take hold? Or worse, Resentment because the Results are not what they could have been. Alternatively, think on the feeling of pride and achievement if you look back to remember the victory of seeing it thru to completion. Imagine what that will motivate you to do next.  

My encouragement for you today is to consider what it is that you really want to do. It may be a stretch goal without any clear understanding of how it will ever come to pass. Start where you are, while you use what you have to take the necessary steps. There are some awesome things just on the other side of the beginning and middle. To be sure, there will be Doubts but don't let that Derail you. There will be some Obstacles but they cannot take the place of the Opportunity. (Unless you let it). There will be Resistance though it will pale in comparison to your Resolve. Anything that causes a Conflict towards Continuing can be Confronted and Corrected. There are plenty of excuses but you are now transitioning towards an Exercise in Excellence. The choice is solely yours as you determine your destiny and take the necessary steps to see them thru.

 Have an awesome day as you determine those steps that Now is the Right Time to Take!!