Have you ever been in a situation where you thought of a good plan somewhere around the middle of a month but think it would be better if you begin the first day of next month? Do you somehow feel like the first day of the year is the best time to execute the idea you have in mind? Do you usually wait for signs of the right moment before doing something big? 

For most people, waiting in line can be irritating and exhausting. Ironically, the same people also leave a great plan at rest while waiting for the perfect time to do it. For instance, the idea that diets are commonly started on a Monday shows that there are things that people are more than delighted to wait for. 

That way of thinking is so familiar that it often applies to almost every aspect of making crucial decisions like starting a new business, finishing a book, learning to play a particular instrument, or even having a difficult conversation. 

We presume that it requires a favourable situation before we perform a plan. So you don’t do it until you feel that the time is desirable to act. At first sight, it seems like a clean method. But what you may not realize is that it somehow is a procrastination tactic. It is like waiting for the storm to pass when it requires nothing but courage to dance in the rain or start something, whatever your situation is. 

Here are some reasons why you should stop waiting for the perfect time: 

You don’t have much time. Life is too short. Treat every minute special because our time is limited. That doesn’t mean to shoot the target spontaneously. That only means the earlier you start to learn and act towards the goal, the better. Then, you can give it your best shot while thinking that everything is now.  

Unexpected things happen. Sometimes you hesitate to make a move because you think the time is just there until life gets in the way, and you can no longer do what you arrange to do. So, if you have the time to do it now, do it. Do not let yourself be a follower of circumstances but a leader making things happen. 

Waiting is passive. You don’t learn anything while waiting. It’s like watching a lot of tutorials without actually doing it. You are not truly learning, a time sink occupying your energy. The earlier you act according to your plan, the earlier it is to know the improvements needed. And that’s when you learn. That’s when you enhance the skills that you already have.  

• Each day, we face unique moments. You can choose to hold the steering wheel and drive it in the direction you want to be. Why wait for time to do it for you when you can create notable moments if you choose to? 

You regret the time wasted. “If I had started, I would have done more now.” “If only I did it right away, I wouldn’t have run out of time.” “I wish I had started a business when I found out it’s in demand; now it’s disappearing from the trend.” “I wish I dared to talk to him before; maybe we would have still been friends.”

• Change is constant. Time changes, and you are not getting any younger. Just because you have the position to do anything you want now doesn’t mean you will always be in that position. And though you may still be able to do the things you want to do after months of waiting, then you’ll have less energy to do it. That’s when regret comes in. ‘What ifs’ and ‘If onlys’ are silent emotional killers.  

Taking action is the key to a fulfilling life. Life is a trial and error process. If you don’t act towards your goal because you are afraid to fail, you are not living life yet. Mistakes and failures are sources of learning and improvements. Avoidance of the same mistakes in the future will be easier because you have been there. With that, you prepare for the future and gain new perspectives each day. It is fulfilling to know that you are doing your part to have an exciting and enjoyable life. 

How you value yourself resonates in how you are using your time. As the old saying goes, Time is Gold, and so are you! You cannot gain back the time that passed, so make the most out of every minute that you have. Take the first step today, launch your great plan because a fulfilling life is in your hands. You must take the courage to start today because everything is now!