“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Have you ever wondered why super hero movies are so popular? The fascination with a hero coming to save the day is an age old archetype that goes back to mythology and beyond. There is something reassuring about these movies. We know that no matter how bleak the situation gets the hero will always prevail. The problem is, in our day to day life, we are one responsible for getting results. There is no Superman coming to save us from our plight. Unfortunately, it seems as though many people are stuck in this state of mind, waiting for a hero to save them.
People sit back and hope that someone or something will come along and make things better.
We have to take life in our own hands, and do what we need to do to get what we want. So what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the right time? Are you waiting for the right circumstances? Think of a specific situation that isn’t working for you. Now determine what obstacle is getting in the way of you doing something about it. Here are a few areas you may want to consider that could be holding you back.
Waiting on others?
Are you waiting for someone else to change? Who are you blaming for the issues you are dealing with? Sometimes we expect others to change first. We hope and wait for the people in our lives to treat us differently or give us opportunities. We believe that if THEY are different things will be better. The only person we have control over is ourselves. You can’t change other people, so what are you waiting for?
Waiting for the right time?
How often have you heard someone say they are going to do something but that they’re waiting for the right time? I think we are all guilty of wanting to have the circumstances just right. There is nothing wrong with preparation and planning, but many people don’t take action even when opportunities emerge. They continue to make excuses why the timing isn’t right. The circumstances are rarely ever prefect, so what are you waiting for?
Waiting on myself?
What excuses are you telling yourself about why you’re not ready? Maybe you’re not old enough or don’t have enough experience. No matter what level you are at with your development there is always something we can be doing to grow and progress. Do everything you can today to get you where you want to go. You will always have areas to improve on, so what are you waiting for?
Waiting to forgive?
How is you past holding you back? Is there some resentment that is keeping you stuck in the present and future? Many times we let our mistakes or failures from the past keep us stuck in the present. No matter what happened in our past we don’t have to let it define us. The past can’t be changed. All you have is today, so what are you waiting for?
Waiting to feel like it?
Is a lack of motivation getting in the way? If we only do things when we feel it we won’t make much progress. It is difficult to maintain willpower when our urges are telling us to do something different. Recognize that you always have a choice in what you do. Even if you don’t feel like it you can still choose to take action. We will often not feel like doing things, so embrace this fact and take action. What are you waiting for? Now that you are aware of the potential obstacles that could be influencing your choices, you can do something about them.
What are the action steps you can take to move past your obstacles?
Write at least five things down you can do today to get the ball rolling and build momentum. Seriously, grab a sheet of paper or log-in to your computer and write five steps you can take to push through your obstacle. Problems aren’t going to just disappear. Decide today to become a creator of your circumstances.
“The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost
There is no need to wait for things to be perfect or to feel completely confident. Waiting for things to change and get better is not the answer. If you don’t like the way things are going do what you can to make them different.
