Making Your WHEN Happen NOW

by Jill MacGregor

What are you waiting for? Just waiting for things to happen, not setting anything in motion. You’ve heard this phrase so many times, “It’s all about timing”. Being in the right place at the right time. The planets aligning.

Sort of takes everything out of your hands, doesn’t it?

Think of the things people are waiting to have happen: a baby, a relationship, marriage, a career, the right moment, letting go, grabbing hold, opening up, making peace.

The future is no place to place your better days.—Dave Mathews

What happens if you stop waiting and, even if the thing you’re waiting for hasn’t happened, you give this moment, this moment right here and now, all the importance, all the weight, all the meaning.

Transfer the power.

What Motivates You?

Love is a strong motivator. Love and devotion. I’ve done a lot of things for my cat. I quit smoking for my cat. I spent a lot of money on my cat when she was sick. Twice a day visits from the pet sitter instead of just one when I was out of town. One time I bought a chair for my because it was even with the windowsill and I knew she’d like it as a perch.

Please don’t repeat that last one.

Maybe you would like to sell me a bridge. Or perhaps a bridge I could buy for my cat. Or perhaps a special chair that my pet sitter could sit in while he holds my cat. Twice a day.

But I digress…

What if that thing you’ve been waiting on is supposed to happen now? What if you stopped your planning and DID IT? Buy those chairs for your cats instead of daydreaming about it…Or maybe something bigger than that.

The future is already here—it’s just not very evenly distributed.—William Gibson

Often, we wait for everything to be perfect before we try to move things forward. I don’t see perfect very often. Even if I think I see it, perfect never looks like I thought it would. Up close, perfect is seldom as pretty—up close, perfect has an unfortunate smudge, its slip is showing, its shirt is on inside out…I think perfect could use a makeover.

This is really were *shut up and do it* comes into play. Just start. It might be a bit wobbly at first, but you know a lot about course correction. It might get off track, but you will learn from those mistakes and get it back in the right direction. But it won’t do any of that unless you start.

I have a little something I tell myself when I’m having a hard time writing. “You can’t edit *nothing*but you can edit *shit*.”

So, today’s the day you shut up and do it. Perfect has called in sick.

How to Shut Up and Do it

Set Aside 30 Minutes

Maybe one of the reasons this idea or project has remained in your head is because you feel like you don’t have ample (I love that word) time to kick it off. Let’s start with bites instead of an entire meal. You can get a lot done in 30 minutes. More than you’ve been doing in the past which is nothing…(whistle, stare at the ceiling) I’m just saying… The point is to get started, not repaint the world.

Focus on the Task

Notice I did not say multitask anywhere in that. Work to give this your undivided attention. I understand that those of you who have small children may be rolling your eyes at me. I get it. But do your best to negotiate as much *you* time as possible to focus on this task. Don’t allow this to be an excuse to not moving forward.

Establish Next Steps and a Timeline

You are now a project manager. And let’s face it, if you have a list and timeframe for task completion, it’s much easier to jump in and work on this at your next opportunity. Ask yourself the follow: What are the 5 main things that need to be accomplished. Create a simple timeline to keep you on track and honest. You’ll feel more self-directed with specific tasks and completion dates.

Work Smart

Everyone has a time during their day when they are more creative/productive/energized. Maximize your time working on this project during your productive hours as much as possible. Find help when you need it. It’s amazing how a simple email or comment on a blog/forum can provide you with information you need and allow you to keep moving forward. Drink a lot of water and have a snack—really, sometimes you forget.

Keep Your Train on the Track

Life is full of…I’ll put it nicely…surprises. The way to tell you’ve been “surprised”? You’ve probably just said, “Aw, shit”.

The unexpected is not responsible for derailing you—only you can allow that to happen. Think of the unexpected as a voracious game of dodgeball. The goal is to not get hit by the ball and occasionally you may look contorted in your efforts to avoid a smack to the head. That’s ok—just keep bobbing and weaving.

I really think you’re going to make this work. Now, you have to believe it with me.