I came across this quote by author Karen Lamb the other day and it struck a chord with me. “A Year From Now, You May Wish You Had Started Today”. That’s so true isn’t it?
If you’re thinking about tackling your debts right now, saving money, changing careers or starting your own business, if you can relate to this quote – the chances are you’re thinking about making some big changes in your life but you haven’t quite taken the leap.
Sometimes the things we really want to do or get on with can seem really big and not achievable at the present moment. That way of thinking leads to us putting things on the back burner for another day. But the problem is that time won’t wait.
I do this all the time, not with my debts now, but I dilly dally over starting the right kind of pension fund and I frequently ponder on the best way to start investing. I’m always thinking of new ways for making side income or how to develop my skills and knowledge but very often these ideas sit on the sideline until eventually they fade away.
There’s always a reason why I delay the decision to do these things. I don’t have the time; I’m too tired; it seems too difficult; I don’t have the required knowledge and I can’t afford to take a course. My subconscious persuades me that there will be another time to give these things a shot, when I’m less busy and able to do more.
But if we’re not careful, we could end up putting things off forever and never giving things a go. I’ve always been a bit of a procrastinator and I often have to really psych myself up to get things done. When I do psych myself up to get things done, I end up feeling proud of my achievements.
What’s your motivator?
If someone offered you £100 to spend a day working on that task you’ve been thinking of doing for ages, you would, wouldn’t you? I know I would. But when we’re considering big changes in our lives, there’s two uncertain factors that come into play. One is whether or not such a change or a new idea will actually work and the other is that we’re not currently earning any money from it. More to the point we might have to lose money to do it or at least feel like we are.
Take paying off debt for example. We don’t physically lose any more money of course (and in the end we gain so much more), but we have to make financial cutbacks in many areas to focus on paying debts off. It’s not easy, in fact it’s downright tough going. We give in, then we feel bad about giving in, then we start again.
One surefire way to achieve something though even if it means giving in and starting again, whether that’s debt payoff, saving up for a new home, or learning something new, is to not delay and keep going. If we keep going, surely we will succeed. How can we not? As long as we actually start and then don’t stop going down the path we’re on, we can’t fail. I truly believe that.
Are you up for a change?
There are a few things I wish I’d started last year but I always found a reason not to start it yet. Like a proper pension fund (debts have taken priority and the hubby and I can’t seem to agree on what to do for a pension), a few new business ideas (not enough time) and getting fit and toned (definitely not enough time). I’m going to challenge myself to make those changes, to ignore those excuses and just get started, even if I can only do a little of each one of these at a time right now. I don’t want to be kicking myself next year if I end up delaying again.
I’ve started off my day today by going for a long walk with my dog, I’ve had a bowl of healthy porridge rather than missing breakfast and I’m going to dedicate some time to learning about UK pension funds. I’m also going to spend a few hours this week working on a new eBook.
Will you join me? What ideas for change are you toying with right now? Please share in the comments below what you want to get going with and how you’ll do it!
By subscribing, you'll receive new blog updates by email and occasionally I might email you with any exciting news. I promise not to spam you and your details will never be passed on.
So wish we had started our debt repayment 14 years ago instead of 4. With just being done with our repayment we are shifting gears and thinking of making changes in our retirement savings, college saving, etc it’s an exciting time.
Brian @ Debt Discipline recently posted…Net Worth Update: August
That’s great Brian, well done for becoming debt free, I’m really happy for you and your family! 🙂
I now regret not learning to play the ukulele earlier because I missed out on years of how much fun it is to actually play. Right now I’m procrastinating learning wordpress from the ground up with this subscription website, which is dumb because time is a ticking and I lose money NOT doing it. But I also think some things…and I stress some, give us clues of what we are meant to be doing versus not. Meaning with learning wordpress, I’m not sure it’s a path I really want to go down career wise.
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…Sacrifices to be Financially Sound
Good luck with your ukulele lessons Tonya, maybe you could post another video of you jamming again soon? I think it’s always good to learn new skills, so if you’ve already paid your subscription why not see it through, you might be able to utilize those WordPress skills when you least expect it, even if you don’t intend to use WordPress in general as a career move. 🙂
I’m a procrastinator too, Hayley. I put off tasks I don’t like (housework) and things that make me anxious and by prioritizing some things over others and always blame that I don’t have enough time or am too tired. Well this is partially true, but sometimes if I force myself to start, those excuses disappear. So what I’m going to do is tell myself, do 15 minutes of this thing and then after that you can quit. I really think that I will end up going longer, and if once in a while I quit, then 15 minutes is better than nothing. This can apply to exercise, housework, reading, writing whatever. Good luck in your challenge! I’m in!
debs @ debt debs recently posted…Debt Do Run Run
That’s a great strategy Debs, just doing something for 15 minutes can really make a difference as 15 minutes can often turn into 30 – especially with housework and exercise. Good luck in your challenge too Debs!
Great post Hayley! I totally get where you’re coming from. That’s how I finally decided to get started with paying off my debts and working out. I finally just took the plunge and did it. Now, I need to do that with a few other things in my life too.
Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore recently posted…Furniture Loan Paid Off!
Thanks Kayla! It’s amazing what you can achieve if you’re determined to give things a shot. Good luck with your next goals Kayla.
Hey Hayley and thanks for an inspirational post 🙂
It’s funny, we must be in the same wavelength ’cause I wrote a similar post yesterday and can so relate with your post today!
I’m working on eating better, getting some daily exercise in and working my writing so that I can get some paying gigs. It’s not easy at times, especially when it becomes a lot of work for little gain. But as your subject line states, time doesn’t wait and it’s up to us whether or not we want to be in a better life situation come next year or not! I choose better 🙂
Take care Hayley and my best to all.
Lyle
Lyle @ The Joy of Simple recently posted…Quit Wishing And Start Doing!
Hi Lyle, you’re welcome and yes I saw a glimpse of your post earlier, I think we are on the same wavelength! I’m going back to digest it fully now! I choose ‘better’ too and wish you luck in starting out with your goals! Keep us posted. 🙂
This is so true. I wish I started paying attention to my finances a looong time ago. I also wish I started blogging over a year ago when I first thought about it. Oh well.
Aldo @ Million Dollar Ninja recently posted…Too Smart To Fall for Scams? Think Again
Lol! Yes, me too. I try to think ahead now so I don’t regret anything like this again – what would you like to do next? 🙂
Love this, Hayley! And I love that quote too. It’s so easy to put things off until tomorrow. I am guilty of doing that too. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like the “right” time but more often it’s just some form of procrastination and/or fear. I remind myself that change happens because you took action, even a small step forward is a step in the right direction.
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted…Book Review: Train Your Way to Financial Fitness
Thanks Shannon! I often reflect back to the point where I made the smallest change – the flick of a switch change even – where I decided to do something about our debts, for once and for all. I’m so glad I started with that!
That quote is entirely too true! I can think of many things I am better off from doing, and I often wonder, “What if I had started sooner?” Yet, it’s so difficult to find that initial motivation. Good for you for taking the next steps! I’m trying to work some “mini habits” into my life in the hope they’ll grow after getting used to them.
Erin @ Journey to Saving recently posted…The Versatile Blogger Award
A good way to focus on starting something new is to ask yourself what is the worst that can happen by starting something. Very often, it’s just your time that’s impacted. Then ask yourself what the benefits will be if you achieve what you set out to do! 🙂
This reminds me of a Chinese proverb that goes *something* like “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time i today”.
Richard recently posted…Best UK Personal Finance Blogs You Should Follow
Too true, love this proverb Richard! Today is always a good time to start.
When you get out of school it is not always easy to see what you have accomplished in the last year, but usually you always wish you had done something else. Sometimes you get so caught up in just living day to day that time passes by without anything other that “regular life” happening. Decide to do something this next month or next year. Doesn’t have to be major. If you haven’t invested start up an account and be consistent, you will be glad you did many years down the road. Take the leap!
Lance @ Healthy Wealthy Income recently posted…Can You Manage Your Money if You Can’t Manage Yourself?
We all procrastinate because it’s in our nature. With that said it’s no excuse to not get going at all. I think fear plays a major role in why we procrastinate. Once you get started making changes, you realize it wasn’t so bad after all. Great post
Ced@Fuggingdebt recently posted…5 Critical Ways Having Debt Impacts Your Fugging Life
I too traveled this road a few years ago and became consumer debt free within 3 years time. It has been the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. Today I live my life in complete financial peace and began my own website (negativetopositivenetworth.com) with the hope of helping others find this same peace.