Stop Waiting Until Tomorrow - Start Today!
I started reading Daymond John's book, Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life.
Many of you may know Daymond from his appearances on Shark Tank, and others may know him from his clothing company, FUBU, started in his mother's home in Hollis, Queens.
One of Daymond's quotes that jumped out to me was the following:
"Whatever tough road you're facing, it's not about to get any easier tomorrow, so start hitting it today."
This quote got me thinking about procrastination. Choosing not to face the path you're on today because it is challenging thinking that waiting until tomorrow it will be easier is another way of kicking the can down the road. If it's not easy today, wake up, it's most likely not going to be easier tomorrow.
Benjamin Franklin says, "You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again." Choosing to wait...choosing to delay...is time spent that can never be recovered. Time lost means experiences lost, financial opportunities lost, or even missed opportunities in developing relationships. This applies not only to your business. This conversation can also apply to your life. If you're waiting to tomorrow to do those things which you know should happen today, I want you to ask yourself the following questions:
- What does pushing something to tomorrow cost me today?
- Why am I pushing something to the next day? Is it fear of failure? Is it fear of success (I don't know what happens if they say yes to my close.)?
- If I choose not to do the most important activities in my business, will I miss the opportunity to someone else that is willing to commit to the activities that drive business?
- Who do I have in my life that is helping me stay accountable to not kicking the can down the road? Have I considered the power in having a coach? What training am I investing in to help me avoid procrastination in the areas of systems, tools and people?
- When will I "own it", and when will I take action steps to move forward towards my goals?
The other thing to consider is that when you choose to put something off until tomorrow thinking it will be easier, likely, it will become even more difficult. Here is an example using someone in a sales role. Lead generating daily is key to filling the pipeline for future closings. Turn up the lead generation = more income. Turn off the lead generation = less income/broke. Putting off lead generation until a later time, let's say because you dislike lead generation (you've got bigger problems if that is the case), will be even more challenging because now your back is against the wall financially with the lack of income flowing into the business. The finances will dry up, and the business will die on the vine.You may be saying, Jeremy, 'That's a little harsh", and to that I say good. This needs to be heard in the business world more and more. It should be shouted from the rooftops. Putting things off like lead generation is only going to complicate the situation. Things never get easier...putting things off will make things harder.
Think about it in terms of conversations. You don't want to have a tough conversation with a client so you put it off. You put it off for a day, and then 2 days, and you look back thinking you should have had that conversation weeks ago. Now the conversation is going to be awkward so you put it off again. You end up never having the conversation, and one day something blows up, and you lose a relationship. This would have never happened if you just had the conversation initially.
Stop delaying, and get into action today. Your future self will thank you.
Change Your Business and Life by Hiring Jeremy Williams as a Coach Today
Are you needing to get clarity in your business? Do you feel like you're all over the place and lack focus and direction? This is exactly why you should consider hiring a business coach to provide you direction and different perspectives on your approach to building a successful business. Learn more about the one-on-one coaching opportunity offered to small businesses at Red Hawk Coaching.
Author: Jeremy Williams is the Owner/CEO of Red Hawk Coaching, and #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author. For more information about coaching opportunities with Red Hawk Coaching, visit www.RedHawkCoaching.com.
