Cup of Inspiration

Today’s post is inspired by today’s quote in my Franklin Planner.

“One of these days is none of these days.” – English Proverb

We have all had this conversation with others, and with ourselves, at some point.

• One of these days I’ll take that class.
• One of these days I’ll try for that promotion at work.
• One of these days I’ll start my own business.
• One of these days I’ll visit.

It is quite an easy trap, indeed. We are well-meaning at that moment. We genuinely believe that one day we will follow through. Perhaps on some of these “one days…” conversations, you have made them a reality. You took that course, you talked to your boss about that promotion, you did start that business (or at least making meaningful steps toward it.) You did book that flight to visit a loved one you have not seen in a long time. However, how many of the “one of these days…” are still just a wish?

Life is quite busy. The 24-hour day can fly by in a wink. Before you know it, a week has passed. Is it really May already? What happened to the year? Between work, family, friends, hobbies, and anything else you have on your plate, time can pass very quickly. It can be all too easy to say there is enough time. There will be time to do this or that, but how can we be confident there will be time? We do not know if we have a day, week, a year, or a decade with a loved one. We do not know if we will retire with our employer or be laid off in a month. There is no time guarantee.

While we should not always put things off, assuming there will always be time, we also should not pursue something recklessly. It would be foolish to approach your manager with an ultimatum for a raise or promotion, without a backup plan if you are turned down and shown the door. It would be reckless to quit everything to start a new business, without a nest egg to cover expenses.

Always keep in mind what is tremendously important in life. Money, power, and the world’s version of success should not be in that picture. Consider what is important, and plan accordingly. When charting out what you would like to do, setting up that trip to see a loved one should take a higher priority than pursuing a particular job with the big paycheck. Perhaps that business idea should take higher priority than worrying about climbing the corporate ladder. Then again, perhaps staying at a company that provides all your needs and gives you time to spend with family should be prioritized over starting a business which could easily fail. There is no one set answer that applies to everyone.

Each individual’s circumstances need to be considered when deciding on a path forward. What every individual should consider in that planning, though, is what should take priority. Everyone should have at least an idea of a plan for moving forward, including a timeline.

For example, instead of just “One of these days I’ll start a business” make a note “Next week I’ll attend a workshop” or “Next Friday I’ll have coffee with a business owner who knows what’s involved in starting a business from scratch.”

Instead of “One of these days I’ll fly to visit my relatives” set up time when you can take off work. Maybe you cannot fly after all, but you can at least increase your communication with them through the use of technology. If that is the case, make that phone call, and add that reminder in your planner to make follow-up calls. Set up that video call to at least see the person’s face if an airline ticket is too costly.

Take out the “one of these days…” from your vocabulary and make forward progress. First, prioritize those wishes, remembering what is important in life. Then, set a plan in motion. It does not have to happen in the next day or two, but setting a plan with a timeline will help turn that “one of these days” into a reality.