The Best Time is Now.

The Best Time is Now.

Tell me, have you ever said this phrase to yourself?

“I’ll (take care of) __________ as soon as ___________ (happens).”

So this may look like:

“I’ll see a therapist as soon as I try fixing it myself first.”

“I’ll start paying off the loan as soon as I get the promotion.”

“I’ll get a nicer place as soon as I get in a relationship.”

“I’ll eat healthier as soon as I purchase that Vitamix.”

“I’ll start exercising as soon as I sign up for the 10k.”

“I’ll share the tough topic to my spouse as soon as we are in a more secure place.”

“I’ll quit smoking as soon as I get engaged.”

Don’t we love lying to ourselves?

We love to give reasons why we can’t take action right now. We put it off to remain comfortable. And it’s not to say that a situation won’t prompt us into taking action. Every so often that works. But you know when we usually make a change? It’s not when the life situation happens, it’s when we hit rock bottom and consequences force the change. It’s usually the doctor gives the diagnosis, a spouse uses the “D” word, or the layoff happens.

Either way, whether you’re waiting for a situation to happen or the unexpected happens, you know why it’s problematic? They are outside forces dictating the trajectory for your life. This is called an “external locus of control.” An external locus of control results in a sense of powerlessness and even worse, constant anxiety. Anxiety is defined as having a fear or unsureness of the future outcomes and their consequences.

So you may ask, “What can I do about it?” Well, there’s also an “internal locus of control.” An internal locus of control means that whatever external forces come your way, you are in charge of the trajectory of your life.

Instead of the “I’ll take care of _______ as soon as ________ (happens),” you can say, “Whether or not this situation happens, I’m going to take care of what I can take care of right now.” This doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing proposition, just a starting place.

Whether or not I get promoted, I’m going to set aside 1% of my paycheck right now.

Whether or not I buy that Vitamix, I’m going to buy some more green colored food.

Whether or not my spouse and I are feeling secure, I’m going to broach the awkward subject.

More often than not, the situation we are waiting on in life may change as soon as we take the smallest meaningful action. Broaching the awkward subject may create the sense of emotional security; buying some green colored foods may prompt you to buy the Vitamix; setting aside money may create additional incentive to find more streams of revenue or perform better at work.

Do you see how that works?

When I’m working with clients who eventually make a healthy change in their life, they recognize that they always had the power in them to make that shift. Meaning, they didn’t need their life situation to change before making the internal shift. This is key to getting out of a stuck state.

All a stuck state means is that you’re consistently experiencing the same emotional loop (i.e. shame, aloneness, failure, boredom, guilt, etc.). Therefore any small emotional charge you can give yourself in the opposite direction (i.e. freedom, connection, success, expansion, joy, etc.) will start you on your path. And guess what’s the best part? Do don’t have to wait for an arbitrary situation to make the change.

You don’t have to wait for a milestone birthday, next weekend, or that random excuse to take a small step in the right direction. You can literally start at any time. You don’t have to wait. You don’t even have to start today. You can start right now.