Waiting for Success (and waiting...and waiting...)
I had the goal to do videos early in my business. But I always found a reason to delay.
First, I wanted to settle into my new apartment, so I could have good lighting.
Then I wanted furniture, so I wasn't filming from the floor in an echo chamber.
Then I wanted counter stools, so I had a flat surface for my camera.
I looked up, and months had passed.
Instead of making videos all that time, I'd been waiting for the right circumstances to appear. I was giving all my power to external things.
So I balanced my laptop on the back of my couch and shot the dang video.
My apartment was a stifling 85 degrees because I had to close the windows to block out the street noise.
I accidentally paused the video twice trying to make sure my laptop didn't tip off the back of the couch.
The backdrop wasn't a carefully-curated bookshelf but my uninteresting kitchen.
I could have used the above excuses to not post the video, but I posted it anyway. The video was about authenticity, so it seemed antithetical to try to hide its quirks.
Is it the best video ever? No!
Did I love doing it? Yes!
Did I feel like a TOTAL BOSS doing it after putting it off for so long? Heck yeah!
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I share this story because I see this pattern play out in people's careers every day.
They convince themselves to tolerate their job "one more year" and another and another...which prevents them from finding a career with real purpose:
They get another degree, taking them out of the market and ratcheting up their debt, which increases the pressure to take the first job that comes along.
They distract themselves with bigger homes, better vacations, and other big lifestyle purchases but still hate getting up in the morning. (Instead of going after a career with so much flexibility and meaning that they don't need to escape.)
They wait to hire a career coach until they "get more clarity," which is exactly what career coaches can help them do. A year later, they're in the same place. But now they’re also beating themselves up because they feel like they’re behind.
You can always find reasons to delay the work that will lead you to a fulfilling career and life. The perfect time is now.
Whether your procrastination has roots in perfectionism, fear of failure, fear of success, or any of the other myriad reasons to postpone going after a career that fulfills you:
The longer you delay, the longer you'll wait to succeed.
I know you have dreams for your career and life because you're reading this post.
You have the power to make them happen. What are you waiting for?
Oh, and you can check out my YouTube videos here.
Author Bio:
Before becoming a coach, Caroline worked in management consulting and financial services. She's made it her mission to help people grow, contribute, and get wherever they want to go.
She’s also a tennis fanatic, aspiring Minimalist, FIRE (Financial Independence and Retire Early) enthusiast, and Aloha Spirit seeker 🤙. She loves to share stories from her unconventional life and career focused on freedom, creativity, fun, health, family, and community. If she can do it, you can, too.
The life and career you want is possible once you have the roadmap. Take the first step by downloading your free guide: 4 Steps To Take Back Your Life and Design a Career With Purpose.
