Awhile back, while I was scrolling through social media I came across this quote from actor Hugh Laurie:
“It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”
I’m writing my second book, and that quote found me during a period of distraction…when I should have been writing. Those distractions happened a lot at the start of the writing process, when the words weren’t flowing and it all felt like work. It felt like that a lot, but beginnings are sometimes like that. Well that day The Universe was clearly trying to catch my attention, and she has a pretty wicked sense of humour. The quote spoke to me.
I’ve dragged my butt for a long time around writing my second book; waiting until I felt …readier. Waiting until I knew for sure what I was going to write about. Hoping for inspiration to hit me over the head. It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I’d sit down to write and if it didn’t come easily, I’d look for other things to do. I’d reconfigure the table of contents, or rework the title…again. I’d research stuff I’d already researched and I’d re-read all the other tidbits I’d written in the days before. And then, having made little progress, I’d inevitably get drawn toward email or other work…or social media distractions. I would tell myself, I’m not ready. And then I read the quote. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything.
In life, a failure to launch doesn’t just apply to that grown child who has yet to fly the coop. I think it also relates to any important quest or goal in your life that sits idle; waiting for you to get enough time, energy, courage or smarts to kick it into gear. Waiting for you to gain more experience, or another course, or more confidence…when 9 times out of 10 you already have it!
Where in your life have you delayed because you don’t feel you’re ready? What are the things you want more of in your life that can no longer wait? What will it take for you to get over it and get on with it?
What are you waiting for? Launch…because you can, and because there is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now.
I say this often; it’s not the doing that’s tough, it’s getting to it. And small steps count.
Step into the process and work things out along the way. If you don’t have all the pieces in place you’ll pick them up as you go, plus you’ll have momentum on your side; successes and insights that won’t reveal themselves unless you’re moving. So, move.
Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.
Until next time I’m Michelle Cederberg helping you transform your work and life, one recharge at a time. Don’t forget to watch the video below, PLUS subscribe, comment and share!
