Maybe You're Waiting for the Wrong Thing

I was listening again to my favorite audiobook this weekend, (Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chodron) and heard this important reminder:

She says, "This is prime time".

As in, this is the good part. Stop waiting for something better.

She goes on to laughingly say "THIS is prime time??" (like, no way, this can't possibly be the prime!), and then again, emphatically, "YES, this is prime time".

We always think there is better than here, next is better than now, and so we wait on our lives.

• Once I get more senior at work, then I will....

• Once I lose these last 15 lbs, I'm going to....

• If I had a boyfriend/partner/husband/wife, then I could.....

• Once the kids are out of the house, then I can finally....

  
  

We've all said some version of this. Probably on repeat. I know I have.

For years, mine was:

"Once I finish my doctorate, then I'll finally feel accomplished and respected."

It took me nine years to earn that degree.

And when I finally got there?

The pride was real.

But it didn't last.

And before long, I was chasing the next achievement.

There was nothing wrong with wanting the degree.

I just wish I hadn't convinced myself I had to wait until I had it to feel accomplished and respected.

The accomplishment wasn't what I was really after.

I was after the feeling I thought it would give me.

I wonder how many of us are doing the same thing in other areas of our lives....

✨ I N S P I R E

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not."

- Epicurus

✨ T H R I V E

5 ways to stop waiting for your life to begin:

Instead of saying...

1️⃣ "Once work slows down..."

• Take your lunch break.

• Leave on time one day this week.

• Stop waiting for a slower season that may never come.

2️⃣ "Once I feel more confident..."

• Send the email. Raise your hand. Apply for the job.

• Confidence often shows up after you begin.

  
  

3️⃣ "Once life settles down..."

• Take the trip. Call the friend. Start the course.

• Life doesn't pause so you can start living.

  
  

4️⃣ "Once the kids are older..."

• Book the dinner. Join the tennis team.

• Don't wait on doing something for yourself.

5️⃣ "Once people believe in me..."

• Believe in yourself enough to take the first step.

• You don't need everyone else's permission.

Do not wait to start living.

Motivation follows action.

Start somewhere.

Don't wait for that illusive 'there'.

Remember, THIS IS PRIME TIME 🤍

What will you start with today?

Carolyn

x

P.S. If you want to spend less time stuck in unhelpful thoughts and more time taking action, download my free Thought Reset Guide.

It's a simple tool I use whenever my mind starts convincing me I need to wait until I'm "ready."

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