**note: I’ve had this post title on my to-do list since early in February and I’m just writing it now… one day before the title’s homage. Why? I was waiting for the announcement at the bottom to be completely ready and perfect. It’s not.**
Why wasn’t I doing this two years ago?
In the beginning of this month (Feb), I started applying to a writing positions every day. I’ve joined a business networking group to promote web design. Finally, I’ve also been responding to ads for yoga instructors. These are all three things I’ve been psuedo-doing for the past two years.
Something in my head just clicked that my next “30-day challenge” was going to be apply for work everyday and practice that work everyday, too.
My two-year anniversary of quitting the corporate digs is coming up (past, actually) and I can’t help but reflect on what was done with the time. This post, as it’s title suggests, is a warning:
Don’t do tomorrow what you can do today.
Rejected and Un-noticed: Perfect
Your big take-away here is simple: just start. Start small and take little steps. Are you trying to save money? Don’t get that coffee and put the $4 in a mug. Are you trying to make it as a blogger? Write a post. Do you want a new job? Apply for one. Don’t just search the listings. Apply.
You’re going to get rejected. Yep! You. So, get rejected now, instead of two years from now.
Your first widget is going to be rough around the edges. That’s OK. Get it out there now.
You will go unnoticed. You will post great work that no one will see. You will make more – greater – work. Post your now work, now.
Time waits for no man
Time
Time has a curious way of slipping by you. Time doesn’t really wait for you. Tomorrow will come no matter what you’ve done today. So, make today worth it! Do something – some small thing – to move towards success, however you define it.
Then, tomorrow, do another one.
Habits
It’s the little daily practices that build your business and your life. Look at everything like it’s practice while you’re waiting for the big fish.
The great guitarist didn’t wait for a million fans before they sat down to crank out an epic rock ballad. They sat in their garage wailing away until the epic began to happen. For most of them, they were pouring their heart and soul into melodies while one or two or three people yelled over their music struggling to have a conversation in an empty bar. That didn’t stop them from practicing.
Whatever it is that you want to do, practice it everyday.
Waiting
I don’t know why we do it, but we do. We think we’ll start something tomorrow. We think we can’t show people our work because they won’t like it. We don’t have enough experience to apply for something. We just dream of the day when we’re able to…
But you know? The day will come when you have the BIG opportunity. When it does, you’re going to want to have been practicing for it, right?
Now, I’m beginning what I could have started 10 years ago, but I’m happy I didn’t wait 20. – The Alchemist
So, here’s the thing: In the note above, I admitted that I’ve had this post title in my list of things to write about since the beginning of February. What I didn’t mention is that it was February 2013.
What’s on your list that you don’t want incomplete in a year? Start practicing it now. Know the day to execute will come.
After two years, my biggest lesson is that the path to becoming a Digital Nomad, the “Quit your job and travel” path – isn’t the only one.
It is not the true goal nor the answer to your true problem.
Thanks for posting this now! I needed to read that again… Creative folk tend to want to wait for the perfect moment to reveal our masterpieces, since we have really great ideas about how we envision others receiving our work. However life has a way of changing those plans… And it’s often for the better. Someone benefited from you not waiting for the perfect moment or waiting for some other big announcement to be ready before you shared this. Thanks!
Lindsey,
That’s great! I figure if one person gets something from a post, it was worth it. I guess I posted this because you needed it. Funny how the universe conspires. Thanks for letting me know. I’d love to hear what it is you’re working towards.
-Stu