If not now, then when?

If not now, then when?

I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately. I feel like many of us are in that space where the future is so uncertain so we would rather not stretch our minds in trying to hitch a strategic plan for the next phase. And truth is, this is just a weak excuse for putting off what we know we ought to do.

Many of us have come to believe the notion of ‘perfect timing’. We have taught ourselves to believe that we must wait till the storm is over for us to be able to pick up again. We have sat on the side-lines of life waiting for that perfect timing to come but often times we have waited in vain.

The reality is that there is no ‘perfect time’ in literal sense. Perfect time is a combination of factors working in synch to give you the highest return on your investment. In essence you create the perfect timing. You make things happen by being prepared for opportunities when they show up. That is the magic that creates what I believe is a perfect timing.

Procrastination is the number one cause for not acting right away. Normally, we tend to delay things because we think it is not the right time, because we think that we are not ready to pursue our dreams yet. We leave our plans, goals, and dreams to later when we get less busy, when the right time comes, or when the right person shows up. But what if that right time never comes, what if we never get less busy, what if suddenly we have to leave this world?

With the current economic lock down, many of us have more time on our hands than we can fully account for. You’re probably spending a lot more time on TV, catching up on your favourite movies, playing video games or simply chatting away with friends. On the surface it seems very understandable yet the reality is that you are wasting a lot of precious time that could be invested in preparing for your next season.

You’re probably wondering; ‘how can I prepare for the uncertain?

The truth is that we can never fully articulate the future but we can anticipate the possibilities and prepare for them. We can map out the probabilities and leverage them. This helps us to be more prepared for the uncertain than to be caught totally off guard.

So what are you doing to prepare for the future?

You probably had some great ideas at the start of the year that don’t seem to make sense under the given circumstances. But before you abort the plan, take the time to review. Yes, you may not be able to hit your targets or to accomplish your goals or reach your milestones but at least you can still try. You can still do something that brings you closer to your desired end. Simply because there is an abrupt storm, it doesn’t mean you abort the voyage. You simply adjust your sail and wait for the storm to pass before you proceed.

So may be this does not seem like the right time for you to pursue your goals or to start a new business or start a new family or launch into a new career but if not now, then when?!

The future is as uncertain as the present and you can only sail through if you choose to take leaps of faith. Dare to believe and to act on your convictions. You will never know how much you can accomplish until you try. Be optimistic and hope for the best.

Let your drive not be shaped by what you see and hear around you. Seek for the truth in your inner man. Search deep to find the unwavering convictions of your heart. Set your heart ablaze with theses convictions and set your heart fully on the pursuit of these things that set your heart on fire.

Dare to jump, do it scared, polish up as you go along but either way just start. Now more than ever is the best time for you to start because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Take the leap, dare to try and no matter what happens, pat yourself on the back because you had the courage to start.

Don’t just dream, don’t simply wish, go ahead and make your dream a reality. Learn to dance in the storm, learn at the edge and trail blaze where there is no clear path to follow. Be your own cheer leader, be unstoppable!