Do it now.
That action you've been meaning to take for ages... do it now.
The idea you've had rattling around in your head... do it now.
The place you've been meaning to visit for a while... do it now.
The client you've wanted to work with... call them now.
The blog you've wanted to write... type it now.
Clearly I am doing the last one :)
But think about how much time you can waste 'thinking about' what to do next.
Now this might just be me... but I can 'think about' things waaaaaaaaaay too much given half the chance. And most of the time I know instantly (intuitively) what I want to do. Doesn't mean I do it now. Oh no. I can talk myself into and out of things for days. Deciding, not deciding, not taking action, and dithering about.
And do I get cross when I do that? Oh yes. Plus I am wasting time when I could be doing my Thing.
Not to mention that sometimes I take so long 'thinking about' actions that when I come to take them they aren't as easy - the tickets aren't available, the dress is sold out in my size :), the client has booked to work with someone else, the dates don't work anymore, the price has gone up. Hmm. Annoying.
So I am working on doing it now.
It's a good place to live - the now - and a really good place to make decisions in too. And will save you LOTS of time.
It might sound trivial (and trust me I've been known to beat myself over taking so long to book cinema tickets I've missed a film!), but think about all the time you spend 'thinking about' what to do when you've known instantly if it's a "yes" or a "no".
There is a lot to be said for trusting your instincts and going for it now.
Here's an example: I was feeling a bit under the weather and I posted on Facebook in the morning that I was a bit :( and a friend suggested I get reflexology. Now I could have 'thought about it' for ages, but instead I hit Google, found a reflexologist around the corner, picked up the phone, and booked an appointment for THAT lunchtime. I'll admit I did unnerve myself a little being that organised and instinctive, but I knew instantly it was what I wanted to do and made sense so I did it. Otherwise I am sure I would have 'thought about' it for a few days (while feeling more under the weather) and by the time I'd called there wouldn't have been that chance same day appointment.
And this absolutely applies in business too. You KNOW when you have an opportunity come up if it's for you and if you want to do it. So just do it NOW!
- You know the clients you do and DON'T want to work with
- You know the marketing you love to do
- You know when you've had a good idea
- You know when you are offered a partnership or joint venture if it's right for you
- You know when you get an offer or price right
- You know when you want to attend an event or go networking
- You know when you find the right team member
- You know when you connect with the right mentor or coach or adviser for your business
- You know when you're doing your Thing (or not!)
So next time 'you know' then I suggest you DO IT NOW!
Don't spend ages 'thinking about' a decision, just make it. That said, of course, you need to do some numbers and work out the details sometimes before signing anything (!), but still know that it's an instant yes 'subject to due diligence'.
It's going to save you a whole lot of time in your business when you can make quick decisions. Sorry. I should say "put into action the quick decisions you are already making but been 'thinking about'".
See what you can do today that you'll act on instantly.
And put the time you save 'thinking about' to good use and do your Thing instead. Who knows, you might make some more money and help some more people... (and isn't that why you're in business in the first place?!).
Do it now.
Do it quick quick quick.
Want to talk more about this?
Great post Lucy and so true. And I love your ‘subject to due diligence’ proviso too.
How much thinking do people spend on ‘thinking about…’ when it’d be in less time than ‘thinking about’, and then it’s done, freeing up space in the mind to come up with the next thing.
The more time for Thinging the better yes! Thinging not Thinking… I should get a T shirt with that on :)
Easier said than done, isn’t it, Lucy?
I’m as guilty as the next gal of over-thinking ideas sometimes. I could win awards for the most wonderful ideas that were never brought to fruition. LOL!!
I feel compelled to reveal, however …
The older I get, the more I’m learning to trust my intuition and go with my gut. All the waiting and analyzing and thinking and re-thinking and procrastinating is, well, unproductive. And it’s certainly not lucrative. ;)
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “You snooze, you lose.” Too true!
Thanks for a gigantic dose of inspiration to DO IT NOW. :)