Tip #5

Stop Waiting. Do That Thing You've Been Putting Off.

Published: Aug 25, 2021

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I’ll bet there are many things you want to do, but you are putting off. Why? Is it because you’re ‘too busy with work’ or you ‘don’t have the means to do so’?

So let’s talk about why you keep putting this off. Are you scared of the outcome? Are you scared that you’ll try, only to fail? Do you think it’s too late to try that thing?

It could be something as simple as starting a new hobby: maybe you’re afraid to look like a beginner at this particular activity?

It could be that you want to travel the world, but you just keep putting it off, simply because it’s ‘ not the right time’. So let me ask you this: when is the right time?

Really think about it, what would ‘the right time’ look like for you? Is it more financial freedom, is it when you have more job security or freedom? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that you can always do something about it.

You might not have given it much thought yet, but you could get a job abroad or work remotely and spend the rest of your days having fun in the sun, skiing, hiking - whatever you like! But, if you don’t take that first step, you’ll never know where you could end up, or worse: you may never truly be doing what you want, and following your passions!

The most interesting question I’ve ever been asked is this: what is the worst outcome possible from doing this particular thing? Now, for me, I was scared to start my business in case I failed and had to look for another job working 40 hours a week for somebody else.

Now this part is going to knock you off your chair.

The answer: So, what you mean to tell me, is that YOU’RE CURRENTLY LIVING YOUR WORST CASE SCENARIO?!

That 1 sentence changed my life. My outlook on everything I do is so much different than before. I now look to do things that make me happy, that make me feel fulfilled. Now that’s not to say that we can’t still look for happiness in every situation regardless, but the majority of life changing decisions I make are based on my state of content.

We grow up being taught to look only for security, money and titles. But that’s wrong. We need to be teaching ourselves and our children to find something they enjoy, and that it’s a bonus if you get paid lots to do it! And yes, it’s still ok to want to chase titles and wealth, but it shouldn’t be what we focus on teaching the next generation. Which leads me onto my next point, my whole life I thought I had to pick a profession and stick at it my whole life, and that kind of pressure on a kid with no work or life experience, or understanding to even know if they like that job is unnecessary, cruel and confusing to a child.

I don't remember a single time I was told by my teachers that as long as I'm happy, everything will be ok.

It may sound silly to us adults, because we know that we can change professions if we want to, of course it may be a little trickier than continuing your professional development in your chosen subject, but nonetheless absolutely attainable. The truth is that most children don’t know this. We teach them that if they don’t get amazing grades then their whole lives will fall apart. We know that is absolutely not true. Think of the last time you were asked for your GCSEs or O Levels? For some professions, yes, but in most professions? I haven’t been asked once! And in instances where I’ve been asked for my degree or other qualifications, I very well could have lied and said I had a PHD because I was never asked for a certificate! My point is that we need to stop putting so much pressure on ourselves and children, because the most important thing is their character, we must put more time into developing that than grades. Now, there is a balance. I’m not saying to tell them not to bother, of course not, I support the education system. What I am saying is stop putting so much pressure on anyone! You’ll be able to live regardless, it’s more important to be happy, than it is to obtain an A*. Reorganise your priorities and make sure you’re inspiring others, not breaking them.

This chapter is all about starting something. You don’t need to do it all at once, just take the first step. If it is a new class you’d love to try, have a look around to see what classes are available to you. You don’t need to book it right away, but at least take the first step. The same with travelling, just do some research first if going the full way is too challenging right now.

I challenge you to start something you’ve always wanted to do, do it today,  who knows where you may end up! I can’t wait to hear all of your stories!

The reality of it is that regardless of what you’re doing, we all have to start somewhere, and that place is from the start. So if you’re scared or embarrassed to start something because of ‘what others may think’ or because you have to start with 0 followers, or with nothing then you must remember that we all start there.

The important part is that you start, because once you start, you’re already miles ahead of those who haven’t. Then, it’s all on you to keep it up, if it’s starting a business, then the process is tough, and challenging and sometimes you may want to give up.

Don’t.

Give it a year, and measure your growth regularly, because only when you look back, is when you’ll realise how far you’ve truly come.

It’s just like when you start hitting the gym, the first few months you may not see much progress, you’ll probably want to give up because ‘it’s not working’, but everyone’s been through the same, and it’s how you choose to confront to the challenge that sets you apart as a winner or a loser of this particular challenge.

Many people don’t talk about this, or even think about it, but the journey is something we need to learn to appreciate, everybody is so focused on the end goal and how to get there, that many people end up giving up because they’re scared of he process, they’re scared because they didn’t think it the whole way through, and now that this challenge has presented itself, they aren’t strong enough to power through it.

Even of those who do start, not all of them make it through the storm. How do you make it through? Mindset. Keep yourself in check, and every time you have a bad day, smile, because you’ve remembered this line ‘if you’re having a bad day, it’s because you’re succeeding’.

We all have dreams right? We all aspire to be somewhere, to be someone? Well, what if I told you an obvious statement: it's not the dreamers who achieve, it’s the dooers. Now that’s not to say you can’t be both, because I sure am a dreamer, but I’m also someone who takes action, someone who just says ‘let’s do it!’.

This is what you need to do to become successful in anything: wealth, happiness, physical progress. If you can dream it, you can do it. If you actually want something, the only thing stopping you is you. Think about it. Your laziness or excuses are the reason you haven’t done that thing you’ve always wanted to do.

So, what are you going to do about it?

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