Don't delay success

When is the perfect time to plant a tree?

There is a popular Chinese quote that says: 

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

 

What it means is that if you want future success, you should act now. It is in our human nature to delay decisions or to procrastinate when we are unsure of the future. There may be many reasons why we are scared to commit and I would like to explore some:

 

1.     Self-doubt:

To experience self-doubt is very normal; we all experience it from time to time. Self-doubt is a lack of confidence in yourself or your abilities and can hold you back from achieving success.

I recently found myself in a situation where I had to make drastic career changes and self-doubt lead to huge anxiety in my life. The following helped me in overcoming self-doubt:

* Self-compassion: We are all human and we all make mistakes along the way. It is okay to make mistakes. We can learn and grow from it. No one is perfect.

* Past achievements: Remind yourself of what you have already achieved in the past especially difficult situations where you have been in and how you overcame them. This will strengthen your belief and supply you with the foundation for overcoming your current difficult situation.

* Support: Surround yourself with people that will support you and strengthen your belief in yourself. Our friends and family will always believe in us no matter what.

 

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - William Shakespeare

(Don't let doubt make you quit!)

 

2.     Not the right time:

We often delay decisions because we want to just wait until:

"I have enough money….."

"When the kids are older……."

"In the new year….."

"At the end of the month…."

Does this sound familiar? I think we are all guilty of some sort of procrastination. The best way to start is just to start, even if it is a small step. We cannot stop time and if you want to achieve your goals, you need to start today.

 

"It always seems impossible until it's done." —Nelson Mandela

 

3.     I don't have the skills or tools:

Start where you stand with the skills and tools you have right now. Better tools and skills will be found along the way. Overcome the fear that can prevent you from growing.

* Expand your knowledge by reading about your field of interest.

* Network and ask others in the same industry for feedback,

* Take training courses to improve required skills.

 

"Excellence is not a skill it is an attitude." — Ralph Marsden