Has there ever been something that you know you needed to do but you pushed it off until a later date?  I sure have.  Have you ever said, “I’ve got plenty of time, I’ll do that later?”  And I’m not talking about for menial tasks that should be pushed off until later or maybe until never.  I’m talking about things that you know need action right now.  Things that if you started would make a tremendous difference in your life for the better; and, things that if you started now would make a tremendous difference in the life of those around you.

Saying “I’ve got plenty of time to do (fill in the blank)” translates into procrastination.

You know what happens when we have plenty of time to (fill in the blank).  A week goes by and nothing happens.  A month, a year, even a decade goes by and nothing happens.  But don’t worry; you’ve got plenty of time.  Don’t fall for it.

I listen to the tales of people who are older than me.  Too often, these are tales of regret, rooted in their inaction to do something they should’ve done when they were much younger.  Now that they are older they feel their time is running out so they have to act urgently.  But when they were younger, they had plenty of time so there was no urgency.  I’ve been in a number of conversations with people like this.  They are kind enough to give me much advice, mostly good advice.  And I appreciate that.  But unfortunately, many of them end up concluding their stories by offering me the same pseudo-wisdom they’ve been indoctrinated with.  They finish off the conversation with, “But don’t worry about (fill in the blank) you’ve got plenty of time”.

Here’s an example:  “When you get my age you’ve got to take care of your body.  But you don’t have to worry about that.  You’re young; you’ve got plenty of time!”  Or, “When you get my age you can’t spend money on anything you want, you’ve got to start saving more and preparing for the future.  But you don’t have to worry about that.  You’re young; you’ve got plenty of time!”  What if these same people acted as though they didn’t have plenty of time when they were younger?  I’m sure you’d agree that their current circumstances would be much different.

Obituaries and Cemeteries

A few years ago I was listening to a man named Tom.  Tom earned an impressive income by most people’s standards: ­over $100,000 a month in passive income.  Most people don’t even earn that in a year.  But hear me out.  One thing I always loved about when Tom spoke is that he rarely based any conversation or presentation on how much money he earned.  Instead, every time he spoke it was always centered on self-development and ways to improve as a person.  And I’ll never forget what he said one day in regards to having plenty of time.

Tom began, “Who in here knows of someone who died?”

Everyone raised their hands.

“Who in here knows of someone who died who was either younger or older than them?”

Again, everyone raised their hands.

Then he said, “You don’t have plenty of time.  And if you think you do, just open the newspaper and check the obituary section.”

I was shockingly surprised by how simple yet truthful this statement was.

He continued, “Or better yet, take some time out this weekend and visit the cemetery.”

He wasn’t joking either.

“I’m serious,” he said, “Go visit the cemetery and read the tombstones and see how old they were when they died.  You don’t have any more time than they did.  The only time you’ve got is now.”

You may not have enough time to finish, but you do have enough time to start.

So when should you start?

For example, when buying a home most people use a 30 year mortgage.  With that said, it takes 30 years for you to own that home outright…Yep, 30 years.  Once you are done paying the bank back the money they loaned you, they then give you the title to the house which says the house is now yours since you’re done paying the bank the money they loaned you for it.  With that said, if you want to get on the path to home ownership when should you start?  Hmmm…Now!  You don’t have plenty of time. Now, you may need to save more money first or fix your credit but you still need to start now.  Your stride towards home ownership does not begin when you buy the house. It begins when you start to put yourself in a position to buy your own home.

I can hear some of you saying, “That’s cool Darren, but I don’t own a home”.  Well, what about when you have a goal to lose weight?  Say, 20 pounds.  You won’t be losing 20 pounds over the course of a day, right?  It may take 6 months or a year depending on your motivation.  The point is if you want to be 20 lbs lighter 6 months or a year from now I’ll tell you exactly what you don’t have.  You don’t have plenty of time. So when should you start?  Hmm….Now!

Do you have plenty of time to be a better a parent?  Nope.  So when should you start?  Hmm…Now!

Plenty of time to be a better husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend?  Guess what.  Nope!  So when should you start?  Hmm….Now!

Do you have plenty of time to be the best version of you possible?  Nope.  So take a guess on when you should start?  Hmm….

You get the point.

So how much time do you have?

I don’t have plenty of time.  The only time I’ve got is now. The same goes for you.  What are the things that you want to accomplish?  Decide what those are and start on the path towards it now.  If you are still one of those individuals who feel they have plenty of time you may need to do what Tom said: check out the obituary section or take a stroll through the cemetary.

The challenge for all of us is to make the best use of the time we do have.

Your thoughts?