When to Act

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Do you ever wonder if you should act now or wait for the “right” moment? Opportunities are fleeting, and time doesn’t wait for anyone. Is there a way to know when to act? The answer is simpler than you think. Read on to discover how seizing the right moment is possible and the key to unlocking your success.

Time defines everything

Time is a fascinating subject. It constrains and controls everything, whether we like it or not. No matter how much we wish to speed it up or slow it down, time remains unwavering. Time is always marching forward, and no one can turn it back. All we can do is recall or capture moments in our minds, videos, or photos.

Think about this: every second, we stand on the very edge of the future and the past. As the saying goes, “This is the only moment we have.” Time marks our age, tracks our history, and even allows us to predict our future. Yet, despite its universality, time feels intensely personal. Each moment is unique and unrepeatable. There will never be another moment like this — or this — or this — or this —…

Here we are, spinning on this rock at 1,000 miles per hour, orbiting the sun at 67,000 miles per hour, all while our solar system hurtles through the galaxy at 514,000 miles per hour. And beyond that, the Milky Way Galaxy races through the universe at 1.3 million miles per hour! Is it any wonder they say time flies? Yet, despite this cosmic rush, a second is still a second, a minute is still a minute, and a year is still a year.

Given your limited time on Earth, how will you use it? Will you decide now or hesitate? After all, “There’s no time like the present” — or is there?

Time Can’t Be Managed — But You Can

We often hear about “time management,” but here’s the truth: time itself is unmanageable. It’s fixed and inelastic. We can’t slow it, bend it, or stretch it. But what we can control is how we act within it. We can manage our actions, choices, and priorities, not the ticking clock. In other words, time is unmanageable, but we are not.

Who hasn’t heard time is our most precious resource? But again, it is what we do with that resource that matters. As the years pass, you begin to realize it’s not endless. I’m entering the final quarter of my life, and I can tell you firsthand that time flies, and it only seems to accelerate as you age.

When you’re young, it feels like time is abundant. But don’t be fooled. What you do with your time determines your future — whether you succeed, fail, live a life of significance, or fade into insignificance. The sooner you grasp this, the more meaningful your life becomes.

Slow down to speed up

There’s irony in this: You must slow down and pause to speed up the process of getting results. Rushing through life rarely leads to thoughtful, impactful results.Slowing down allows you to think, reflect, and act with intention.

In his book The Pause Principle, Kevin Cashman details how to slow down and step back to make great leaps forward. In it, he writes, “What sleep is to the mind and body, pause is to leadership and innovation.”

No one is promised tomorrow, but one can hope. How can you make the best use of your time? Take “time” to reflect by asking yourself, “What am I doing with the time available to me?” This question is synonymous with “What am I doing with my life?”

The cost and worth of time

The way you spend your time comes with a cost. The things you value most will naturally claim your time and attention. But if you haven’t clearly identified what matters to you, you’ll waste time wandering through life without direction. How much is your time worth? Is it worth strengthening your discipline to value it? As Jim Rohn notes, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

How can a few people accomplish so much during a day or a year while most accomplish so little? Take Elon Musk, for example. Bloomberg Billionaires Index claims he added more than $7 billion to his net worth in the first nine months of 2024. At an annualized rate, that works out to more than $1 million per hour working around the clock every day of the year. Let’s break it down to something we can almost wrap our heads around. Musk’s net worth increased by more than$17,000 per minute for every minute in 2024!! Is Musk’s time worth that much? Apparently so, and that is nowhere near his all-time high!

Do you wonder how Musk “spent” his time in the past? If I had to guess, I would say he has spent it carefully and purposefully. He didn’t accumulate his wealth by sitting around doing nothing.

“The next 30 days are going to pass whether you like it or not, so why not think about something you have always wanted to try and give it a shot for the next 30 days?” — Matt Cutts

The best time to act

So, you ask, “How do I know when is the best time to act?”Let’s return to the old saying, “There’s no time like the present,” for its powerful truth. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Start now, with purpose. Take that first step, even if it’s small. Action leads to momentum, and momentum leads to progress. The only thing stopping you is you!

Don’t be so cautious that you do nothing. You don’t need to take giant leaps — you can move slowly — but keep moving. After all, every action creates something. As Lao Tzu wisely said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

The time will never feel “perfect,” but taking that first step will make it right. Chris Guillebeau put it best: “The best time to start was last year. Failing that, today will do.”

Final thoughts

We only get one shot at this life, so why not make it count? Go after your dreams rather than letting time slip away, leading to future regret. If something is on your mind, take action — don’t procrastinate. Start small if you must, but start.

Never let fear or the opinions of others hold you back. This is your time, your choice, and your life. You know the best time to begin is now. The only thing that can hold you back is that person in the mirror!

“There is hope. You can do it. Start now.” — Linda Hamilton