If Tomorrow Got Cancelled, What Would You Go Do Today?
Photo by soundman1024
Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ”tomorrow” on the calendars of fools.” ~ Og Mandino, American essayist and Psychologist
We’ve all felt the frustration and bitter disappointment of putting off until tomorrow something we really wanted to do today.
Perhaps, it’s a life-changing decision you planned to make. Or, a much longed-for dream you were about to turn into a reality.
Maybe, it’s just a small step forward you were going to take – but an important one in the right direction to achieve that special goal. A little thing to others, but a big deal to you.
But, as another day comes and goes, you’re still as far away from taking that action as ever.
An opportunity is missed. Yet, it needn’t be like this.
You woke up this morning with great intentions.
You promised yourself that the moment had finally come.
But, something got in the way again.
Why Didn’t You Do It?
The excuses sound reasonable – even believable – because you’ve convinced yourself that they’re true:
- I’m not ready
- I’m too busy
- I’m not strong enough
- I’ll never succeed
- It’s too hard
- No one else believes in me
But, these reasons apply at any time – whether it’s today, tomorrow, or next week. Deep down you already know this… because you used these excuses only yesterday, and a hundred times before.
What excuses are you using not to do it?
What if Tomorrow Was Cancelled?
For some folk, unfortunately, tomorrow never comes. The plan is unfulfilled; the relationship goes unmended; the idea is never realised, those words remain unspoken.
I meant to tell my dad that I loved him, but kept putting off saying the words. He knew it, I told myself, and – anyway – grown men don’t say that kind of stuff to each other, do they?
Eventually, I did let him know how much I loved him… as he lay in a coma, just before he died.
At least I did it. Better late than never, though not early enough.
The routine of our everyday lives means we believe that there will always be another opportunity to do it tomorrow, a second chance to try it again.
That’s the ever-onward flow of our lives. We get complacent in the safe knowledge that we can try again sometime in the future.
But, we get tempted to always keep putting it off and so that moment when we finally act never arrives.
It happens to everyone, so stop beating yourself up. Don’t let your disappointment at not doing it today trick you into believing you can’t – or won’t ever – do it.
It’s not impossible… and you can.
If not now, then when?
So go do it.
Today.
What do you really want to do today, but always end up putting off? What’s holding you back?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
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Okay the title of this post pulled me in immediately. Great way to word it!
“We get complacent in the safe knowledge that we can try again sometime in the future.”
You’re right. Be it telling someone we love what they mean to us, or just something small like deciding to step eating so poorly or to start working on that dream.
Lately, I’ve been really good about not letting myself get stuck in the limbo world of being constantly complacent. But today, if tomorrow were cancelled, I’d actually just like to relax with some close friends and family and just BE with them, because lately I’m too much on the go, and I hate putting them on my backburner.
Great post Scott! It really puts things into perspective.
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for stopping by – it’s great to hear your thoughts.
Complacency is definitely a ‘limbo world: getting trapped between wanting to take action and believing the chance will come in the future.
It’s really only when we are forced to realize that doing something today might be the only chance we get, that our complacency is rocked.
I hope you take the opportunity to just “be” with those closest to you as often as you can. And that you all simply relax and enjoy it!
Hi Scott,
It’s good to see a new article from you. Glad you are back! :)
I never like putting things off. In fact, I can’t wait to get started so that I can relax and do my thing. I always feel very uncomfortable and unable to be at ease when I know that I have something important to do at the back of my mind. As for saying the things I need to say to people who matter, I rarely put that off too.
Like you I realize how fragile life is and unexpected things can happen at anytime. If we wait for tomorrow, we could miss the last chance we have to do something important. As I always say, no matter what comes your way, you have to focus on the solution and not the problem to keep moving forward. Problems will not solve themselves and it is the things that need doing that matters.
Thank you for sharing this article and reminding us to take action today! :)
Irving the Vizier
Hi Irving,
It’s great to see you too ;-)
You’ve got a good approach to taking action – enthusiasm is like a laser to ‘putting things off’.
You say: “Problems will not solve themselves and it is the things that need doing that matters.” More often than not, we get so overwhelmed with the big picture/ the whole problem, that we can’t see those things that really make the difference. Often, these important things are quite small. Crucial, yes… but not overwhelming, by themselves.
Hey Scott,
Great site man!
It’s weird how we romanticize our days but when we simply DO the things we need to do to get ahead, we feel that much more alive.
It’s good that you told your old man what was on your mind, even if it was late.
Good Vibes!
Hi Vic,
It’s true: only thinking about our ideal days brings not a bit of satisfaction to our lives. But, taking action – even if it doesn’t work out – at least connects us directly into the flow of our lives, and lets us be in of control that flow.
Thank you for stopping by and joining in the discussion.
HI Scott,
Great points, and I’m glad you’ve pointed them here. Procrastination is one habit that is hard to break. For me it is hard to break because it is already a root that have grown to bear fruits. My idea f breaking procrastination is breaking them from the roots (the principles we have in life) to the fruits (the actions we do today.)
Hi Vic,
Ah, the ‘P’ word (procrastination)! ;-)
I agree with you – when we allow procrastination to become second nature, we get comfortable with it. Putting things off becomes just what we do. We simply expect that we’re not going to act now.
I like your image of our actions being like fruit. We plant the seed; we feed them, and we wait until they’re ripe enough to benefit from. Nice ;-)
Many thanks for adding to the conversation.
It’s good to always live as if it is the last day of your life. With this kind of perspective, you can avoid procrastination, and you will be able to finish what you got to do and to do what you really want to do. Like the Vizier, I too don’t like putting things off. I start it, and I finish it as soon as possible but I also bear in mind quality.
I also would like to congratulate you for being included in Problogger’s list of bloggers to watch in 2011!
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your kind words, and for adding to the conversation here.
Starting is the first big step with any project, and finishing it can be an even bigger challenge. The world is littered with half-finished projects and half-hearted ideas!
Having a quality check in mind as you work to complete anything ought to cut down the chances of scrapping it later on. Nothing de-motivates like a rushed or poor quality piece of work getting dumped in the trash!
Scott, in my own experience, I held back from achieving what I wanted because I was afraid. Most people will say that they fear failure, and this is why they don’t step forward. But I’m not so sure that’s true. I think deep down – and we’re not even aware of it – we’re actually afraid of what might happen if we succeed. What changes will this mean for us that we may not feel prepared for.
Good article, man. I’m a first-timer but have seen you around on a lot of blogs. Glad I stopped by.
Hi Bryan,
It’s great to see you – first timers are always welcome here. After all, you’re only a first-timer once! ;-)
Fear is a feeling which spreads into many areas of our lives. Fear of failure; success; rejection; loneliness, of looking like a fool. And it blocks so much potential and achievement.
It’s a double-edged sword, don’t you think? On one hand, we fight to change stuff around us; while on the other hand, we cling on to the status quo.
Totally agree on the double-edged sword. It’s why so many people remain stuck. When we get the inspiration to take action, we have to do it!
So true man, i feel this way too, its almost like the first day of school. Your scared to fail, make new friends, etc. but you look forward to graduating and all the friends you will make along the way. I think this poem sums it up.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
by Marianne Williamson
A reminder we all need. And that picture makes me dizzy and my tummy hurt. Thanks.
Hi Anastasia,
I’m pleased you found the reminder helpful!
Sometimes we just need to change in some way. We need to stop doing one thing and start doing something else. And why wait until the day that never comes – “tomorrow”. Thanks for sharing this post which certainly made me think again about a few things. Gee
Hi Gee,
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, when we stop doing things that don’t really matter, it frees us up to focus on the stuff that makes a difference – to us and those around us.
I guess the key to getting this attitude is being able to work out what’s really important. Not everything we do is.
Wow. This is such a great/crazy idea.
If tomorrow got cancelled – I’d finish reading my book, be sure to fit in my 5 miles at the gym, make a delicious dinner and get some quality time in with my boyfriend and the puppy.
But likely, I’ll get out of class, make a half assed effort at the gym and crash in bed.
Sigh… How do you have the energy to pretend tomorrow is cancelled?
First time visiting your blog – I like it!
Xo,
Bridget and the Girls with Prius Envy
Hi Bridget,
Ah, you have great intentions :-) Apart from the 5 miles running at the gym, your suggestions seem very relaxing.
I guess when we’re really forced into taking action, we find the energy to ‘get up and go for it’ – or else it won’t get done. And, sometimes, that very thing we’ve put off doing doesn’t seem quite as bad when we get stuck into it.
Thanks to you (and the Girls!) for sharing your views.
Great theme Scott. One day for all of us tomorrow won’t come. We don’t know when or how it will be but one day will be our final day. Best then to live and enjoy every day and make the most of it including indulging in committed relaxing and reflecting as much as adventure chasing. Revel in all things is my mantra. Wishing you the best day ever.
Hi John,
Some folk feel it’s too depressing to think of tomorrow not coming. I don’t.
In fact, the opposite is true. It makes us ask ourselves what things are really important and it encourages us to take action. That’s a very positive attitude.
I totally agree that it’s not all about adventure chasing. Calmer and more inward-looking activities are just as dramatic and life affirming.
Thank you for your upbeat thoughts!
What a great reminder to have your priorities in mind for today. We never know even if tomorrow does arrive, what it will bring. thanks.
Hi Cathy,
That’s a great suggestion about daily priorities.
When people talk about priorities, they usually apply it to what we need to do at work. I’m sure we all have as important (if not more important) priorities in other areas of our lives.
If we always review our priorities, we can let some fall down the ‘to do’ list, and let others float to the top. Then, we can really zoom in on our top priorities and aim to tackle them today.
Many thanks for adding your views to the discussion.