Procrastination is often the one thing that stands between people and their dreams. Although many may not verbalize it, I believe most people know exactly what they want out of life – better relationships, career opportunities, more abundant lifestyle, or  an authentic connection with God.

Those who attend our classes often say they want to experience more joy, love, peace, happiness and to make a significant difference for others. Many may have a dream, but most seem to settle for less than they say they want. They settle, not because their dream is out of reach, but so often, simply because they wait to take action on that dream.

Is procrastination killing your dreams?

They wait. They wait for a time when they will have more money, when the climate is better, when others will understand, or when it will be more comfortable to take action on their dreams. The problem is that the longer you wait on taking action toward your dream, the more likely it is you won’t achieve it.

We all have excuses for why we aren’t experiencing more abundance in our lives. However, more often than not,  the reality is we are simply more committed to something other than what we say we want. Perhaps that’s true for you. Perhaps you are afraid of making a mistake.  Or are you waiting for all the circumstances to be just right before you get committed?

Is it more important to be comfortable than it is to take a risk? Maybe you’re waiting for the economy to turn around, or for a big promotion. Perhaps you want everyone to agree with your decisions and you are looking to others for approval to live the life you want to live.

If your friends and family don’t support your dreams, maybe you decide to wait, hoping they will change their minds. If that is the case, it may be more important that others like or approve of what you do, than it is to live the life you want to live. The problem is that there is no guarantee that others will ever understand or approve of your dreams. Circumstances may never be optimal.

It has been said that people don’t regret the things they do in life. They regret the things they don’t do. What are the prices you are paying for not fulfilling your dream? What are the prices others are paying?

It really doesn’t matter what the obstacles are that stand in your way. The question is this: Is this dream important? Does it really matter to you? Would taking action toward your dream encourage or inspire anyone else? If so, would it be valuable for you to take action on it now?

As Brian Klemmer often says, “You will have one of two things in life. You will have reasons or you will have results. You won’t have both.” I’ve found that to be true in my life. I don’t like giving reasons for settling in my life. I much prefer creating results and knowing that I make a difference.

In order to fully realize and experience your dream in life, you will have to let go of the reasons and be committed to taking action. When will you choose to act on your dream? It would be nice to think that there will always be a more convenient time for you to make your dreams happen. But what if there won’t be another time?

What if this is the time, the only time, when taking action on what is important to you will reap the greatest reward?  Some opportunities require urgent action. They are only available for a limited amount of time. Your life is precious and you have been given a limited time to enjoy it here on this earth.

Why would you ever allow yourself to settle or miss out? Don’t live your life with regrets about what could have been. Don’t buy into the lie that waiting will make things better. That rarely happens.

Resolve to take control of your life today to create the results you want for the rest of your life.

Diane Beinschroth

Klemmer & Associates Facilitator