“We are always getting ready to live but never living.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
So I’m just wondering when you will be ready?
I think we all need some time now and again to sort of re-group and decide where our life is going to take us. Of course then there are people like me who are much happier when they can simply decide on the fly and take whatever turn happens to arrive.
Either way, taking the time to regroup can be good. We all need some down time to appreciate what we already have don’t you think?
“To enjoy the moment is the gift that hard work gives us.” ~Bonnie Copeland
What I see more often though is people who are terribly busy ‘getting ready’. They are waiting to have all the i’s dotted, all the t’s crossed and for the perfect moment on the perfect day.
How’s that going?
If you are one of those people…I’m going to go ahead and guess you’re still waiting and getting ready. Let me clear up something for you. There is no perfect day; no perfect moment, nor is there a time where you have every eventuality covered.
Get it?
I discovered this when I was setting up my business in Coaching. My goodness I had a lot to learn. I still do. I learn something new all the time to help move my business forward. Still, the key is I put that learning in place to cause action. Sometimes I do it well, sometimes I realize I still have a lot to learn. lol
Still, if I just keep planning and learning with out the implementation I’d get nowhere. Even this very blog I was so nervous about starting up. One day I just decided to wing it. Yes, my earliest posts were a little blah, but I had to start and I did . I hope they are much better now.
There is a saying that goes something like if you want to make God laugh show him your plan.
Not that I’m against planning…goodness no. But there needs to be a stronger understanding that planning is a time limited option. Otherwise it becomes a crutch; an excuse not to move forward.
The thing is I’m not just talking about getting ready to launch a business, or go back to school. It’s bigger than that. Some people are so busy getting ready to live their life they never get around to actually living it!
This is not good my friends. Your time on this Earth is really quite short. I truly think we were sent here to learn what lessons we need. If we spend our time getting ready we aren’t living our divine purpose.
Some people might say they are waiting to figure out what their divine purpose is before they get going. Um…problem with that is you can’t figure out your Big WHY unless you actually start DOING something. I promise you these things will not come knocking on your door as you sit watching 5 hours of TV again tonight.
“Opportunity to discover meaning in our lives requires our attention and action.” ~ Bonnie Copeland
Okay..the good news? This can be really loads of fun and not all hard work. Actually doing the living is what we are here for after all. Sure it come with its own stress and strife but it also is where to excitement, inspiration , joy and spirit is.
So today Mr. Emerson and I have a little coach’s request and challenge for you. Let me know what you’re going to do to meet that challenge and how it goes!
I totally know what this is like–planning is good, but there really is a such thing as over-planning. When it gets to that point then that means that there’s some fear there. It’s important to let go of the fear, take the plans that you’ve already done, and: Just. Begin. 🙂
Thanks for sharing–what a great reminder!
Oh gosh, overplanning reminds me of one time I went camping with some friends. Really, an overnight camping trip should not require 3 hours of packing! lol
You said it perfectly Makeba with “Just. Begin.” 🙂
Hi Bonnie,
Fear is my friend and craptastic effort is cool by me!
The hardest times of my life held the most learning and SO many joyous memories.
It really is all good, isn’t it?
Many blessings,
Carrie
Isn’t our vision amazing when we are looking backwards? It’s there we realize the blessings and opportunities that those tough times afforded us. Thanks for sharing that!
Well said Bonnie! Planning is crucial but not if you plan, plan and plan some more. At one point you have to jump in and take action. This was a topic I wrote about on my blog last week. Take the plunge…. it is a great way to actually see where you are at, what changes you need to make and you just might be surprised how much success will come your way.
And I love your quote Bonnie …. attention and action are easy yet powerful words to live by.
I think you’re doing a stupendous job with the blog, Bonnie!
And you’re 100% right with this post. For many people, they’re waiting for the perfect moment. I was that way too. You know what? The perfect moment never came. Here’s another truth, when later arrives… it’s really not called later; it’s called NOW.
We have to start, and starting doesn’t come wrapped in a pretty package or with a nice delicate tied bow. Starting begins when everything isn’t in place. Starting begins when the time is inconvenient. Starting begins with that first baby step that over time becomes major steps.
I loved this post, because it rings true with where I am in my life right now. Had I never started to write that first day in February 2011; none of what I’ve accomplished would have gotten accomplished. Do you wanna know something else? Nothing that I will do in the future would be able to happen either.
I have, am, and will continue to break the monotony for my life. That little box has been shredded and burn. And every day I am presented with a brand new opportunity because of it.
Love you and loved this post! 😉 Job well done, Chica!
Life is. Life needs to be lived. Of the hundreds of wanna be business owners I have trained and worked with, many just never get going because of fear. Sometimes I can be the momma bird that pushes them out of the nest – the advantage of having a coach but often they just run away, often before fully researching their idea. We want to be safe and well thought of but in life when does that ever happen – when we just be and not worry about what others think – infancy and really old age may be times of certainty – in between their are opportunities and chances. And you only grow when you live. The opposite scares me. As for the regroup – I like lots of mini regroups – just to test and tweak the path I am on.
Great post, Bonnie! Most people are planning on being “perfect” and want to make sure they get everything right before they start! hahahahahaha
giggle. snort.
If you know what I mean.
Absolutely loved how you wove your own pearls of wisdom into your post!! YAY! And yes, I too, have to remind myself that I won’t move forward until I take the one foot and put it in front of the other. Say, YES! and look where it leads to…. SUCCESS!
Many of us put off doing what we should, because we’re afraid, need more info, are unsure of the outcome, etc. Instead, we should move ahead and live life. This is my year to take risks and as uncomfortable as I’ve been starting an additional business, expanding my current business and reaching out to other business owners, I’ve already seen positive results. We can live life on the sidelines or jump into the game. Excellent post. Thanks for the reminder to get out there! 🙂
You are right on target, Bonnie. Life must be lived in the present moment. I am just as guilty as many others….I feel like I have to “be prepared” before I step out of my comfort zone.
Great advice ~ Just do it!
You said it true Janette! We only have this moment so we should make it count!
Success favors the prepared mind! Serendipity can only occur if one is aware…Be the bunny….eveready.
Great post – reminds of folks who are “ever learning but never coming to the truth”
Hi Tor, so nice of you to drop by! I like what you said here. Ever learning…makes you wonder how you couldn’t come to the truth doesn’t it? Fear, avoidance or simply not paying attention. Thanks for that thought.