"So, why put off for tomorrow what I could get done today?", is a line from one of my favorite songs, My List by Toby Keith.
Keith's song is a beautiful ode to the finer things in life: going for a walk, saying a prayer, taking a deep breath of mountain air. This song is one about putting aside busy to do lists and deadlines to enjoy these simple pleasures because, as Keith says, "I won't break my back for a million bucks I can't take to my grave." His point: all the works, money, success, and fame in the world won't follow you to the grave, so take the time to live in the moment and be present to the little things in life.
While this is a valid notion, an important one that I agree with, it is actually the exact opposite of the point I'm making today. In that case, I guess I'm quoting Keith a bit out of context. Sorry, Toby.
The reason I have found this line from an 18-year-old song stuck in my head lately is that I've been doing exactly what Keith warned against: putting off until tomorrow (and next week, and next month) what I could, and probably should, get done today.
I find myself waiting for the perfect moment strike. For the mood to be right, for the words to flow perfectly, for just the right about of teary-eyed emotion to pour out of me and into whatever I am creating. When these things do align perfectly, I create exemplary work. I create work that I am proud of and that evokes emotion from many people and starts conversations. Naturally, this is my favorite type of work to create.
The bad news: that isn't life. Things aren't always perfect. It is rare that these types of moments come along, and if we sat around waiting for perfect moments to act upon, nothing would ever get done. Jan from The Office said it best:
"There are always a million reasons not to do something."
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to strike, just do. Go out on a limb. Start the diet, tell someone how you feel, take the new job, sign up for that class. Whatever you've been putting off, whatever you've been rambling off excuses for, this is your sign: do it.
Life is too short to not go after things we want. There is no time like today to get done what you've been meaning to get done. Even if it isn't perfect, it is one step closer to something that is.
