How Do I Give Up the Excuses and Go?

A lesson on taking the leap of faith.

I imagine if you’ve found this article, you’re getting pretty fed up with a sedentary, routine life.

Am I right?

That is where I was less than 2 years ago. I had one year of university left without a clue what to do after graduation.

I knew what I really wanted but couldn’t figure out a way to escape where I needed to be. And the place I “needed” to be wasn’t where I wanted to be.

Perhaps, you’ve been in this position before. If so, let me know if this resonates with you:

Every night you go to bed knowing that tomorrow is going to be yet another day. Trapped in an un-ideal situation. One that forces you to have the same reoccurring dream. A dream about the next opportunity for you to take some time for yourself. To see places you’ve always wanted to see. To do things that inspire you.

But, when that time finally comes, you find yourself making excuses. You shy away from setting forth on the journey. There are a million reasons why you tell yourself you can’t. Oftentimes, it’s a financial issue. Other times, it’s a relationship or employment which is holding you back.

This is far too common for so many of us.

We make excuses in our comfort zone.

I know you have heard this before, but let me reiterate. . .

The time to make your move is now. There will never be a “perfect time”. There’s always going to be an excuse. Trust me. I waited far too long to make the transition into my lifestyle now.

To quote Mark Twain:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

Take little steps forward.

Some of us decide to quit our job. But you don’t have to. That is a dramatic move and not one that everybody is ready for. Though, to allow yourself to do what you want to do, you will have to commit to something.

Make moves. Little by little. Day by day. Make sure you are working toward your dream and not accepting complacency. Don’t follow the norm. Work your ass off to create a new reality every day.

Then, one morning — it could be after days, weeks, months — you’re going to feel it. The spark.

You will wake up feeling inspired for change. You’ll get online, look at plane tickets. That dreamy Pacific island getaway. Or maybe that European fairytale town — wherever it is that your heart desires. It’ll stare you in the face.

You’ve stared that place in the eyes many times before without the gumption to say, “YES!”.

But, this time, it’ll be different.

I challenge you to book your plane ticket. Don’t think about it. It takes this kind of commitment to put a plan into action sometimes. Especially the first time.

Put in your 2-week notice at work. Tell your significant other that you need to do this. For yourself. Tell your family and friends that you might be gone for a while. They will support you (and envy you, too). And finally, tell yourself that this is the right decision for you and that’s all that matters.

The timing will never be perfect, so I encourage you to stop telling yourself that it ever will be. You’ll never have enough money. And the longer you wait will only leave you feeling guiltier.