Timing

I am one of those people who is always going to start tomorrow. Or as soon as the weather gets nice. Or as soon as I'm caught up on all of my chores. I am always waiting for the perfect timing on everything. I'm going to start eating better as soon as I can do a complete grocery shopping trip - because what is the point in starting to eat better right away? I need to be fully prepared! I'm going to make sure I start eating more fruits and veggies as soon as the weather warms up - because then I'll be in the mood. I'm going to go to the gym as soon as I get all of my gym clothes washed or my iPod charged or my playlists made. I'm going to get rid of this cold, so I can breathe before I can do anything. Basically - the planets have to align in a way that only happens every 3 billion years in order for the time to be just right. Sure - this is basically just an advanced case of excuse-making - but I prefer to word it as "waiting for the perfect time". 

Then I was flipping through my magazine from my gym. On the last page they usually have some sort of nature-y scene, and a quote meant to inspire. Typically I just roll my eyes, and throw it to the side. But something about this one spoke to me. 

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now." - Mark Victor Hansen

So I got up today, and I went to the gym. I went in spite of my chest cold, and my cough and my cramps. I went, in part, because I would finally be able to watch another episode of Sons of Anarchy (I downloaded them with a birthday gift card, and only get to watch them when I am on a piece of cardio equipment). And you know what? I survived. I was tired, and my breathing was more labored than usual. I had a few limited coughing spasms worked in for good measure. But I survived. And tomorrow I'll do it all over again. Because I can. And because waiting for everything to be perfect is going to do nothing but keep me waiting. I'm not perfect. Life isn't perfect. It's time to start working with what I have - and I could be stuck with a whole lot worse than I am.

Are you getting started now?