Tomorrow is a concept where things we need to do but continually push forward are not likely to come to fruition. The time to act is now.
Not now. Maybe tomorrow. Someday.
We feed ourselves these excuses each day to convince ourselves that it’s OK to put things off for just a little while longer.
Of course, we take care of urgent matters—as we feel their weight and pressure. But often, important, meaningful, and potentially life-changing actions get pushed repeatedly down the road. We sincerely believe that we’ll get to them, but that day will never come as they’re pushed one more day or week from now.
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If we want to experience the rewards and fruits of our ambitions, we have to plant the seeds of action now.
All the good things in my life are the result of consistent action that has compounded over time. My experience has consistently confirmed that what matters more than the perfect plan or perfect timing is taking that first small step in the direction you want to go.
7 High Rewards for Taking Action Now
1. A Life Without Regrets
The time you waste can never be recovered. Think about that and let it sink in. The good news is that, no matter your age, you can change course right now. And in five, 10, or 15 years, you’ll look back and see a person who learned and prioritized what mattered. The sooner you act, the more years you’ll have to build and enjoy a truly beautiful life.2. Progress in Career and Creative Pursuits
In many professions and creative fields, you have to spend years honing your craft and learning the fundamentals before you really start to shine. While the best time to begin was yesterday, the next best time is today. Many people underestimate how far they can get with consistent action. Don’t waste energy looking back on the time you missed—dive into the work you have before you now.3. A Financially Stress-Free Retirement
Money isn’t everything, of course. My own experiments with minimalism have shown me that you can find fulfillment with very little. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be happier with financial stress in your life, or a thinner retirement savings than you envisioned. Having enough money to meet your needs, enjoy some little luxuries, and live generously is a great gift. That reality is within the reach of many people willing to start planning years in advance.4. You Become the Person You Want to Be
Personal change is hard. I’ve been writing about it for years and can attest to the fact that just thinking about it won’t turn you into the person you want to be. Real change comes from consistent action over a long period. The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll see the fruit of your good efforts.5. New Friendships in Every Stage of Life
Many adults I know seem to stick with the friends they have and express very little interest in meeting new people. Thankfully, my best friend, who is quite a bit older than me, is a living example of being open to new experiences and relationships. His life is rich in many ways and has enriched mine. There’s no time better than the present for investing more into filling your life with people who matter to you.6. Realizing Ambitions or Dreams of Adventure
Even the biggest homebodies have dreams of things they want to accomplish, places they’d like to go, or items they would love to check off their bucket list. These challenging goals won’t happen on their own while we’re attending to the urgent needs of a normal day. You have to carve out time and stop putting your desires and intentions off for some future time. The time is now.7. Getting and Staying Healthy
Removing bad habits is another weighty task many push down the “someday” road. We know bad habits slowly hurt or keep us from being a version of ourselves that we’d respect. However, the level of urgency we feel about these problems often doesn’t make it across the threshold of needing to take action. What’s worked for me is to imagine that today’s habits are the ones I’ll be stuck with forever. That mental trick helps me feel the weight of my choices rather than thinking it’s only one day.
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