When to Stop Waiting for the Right Time to Start

by Maureen L. Bonatch 

Somehow June has arrived, announcing that we are six months into 2017. Half way through the year. How did that happen? I glance over at my 2017 list of monthly and yearly goals and realize many of them are still unfulfilled. Some may have even been on the list for 2016. I have a long to-do list, and a plethora of goals. For many of them, it’s almost as if they come with a disclaimer.  It seems that the more goals I have, the more excuses I acquire to delay starting.

•      That diet I need to recommit to? I’ll start right after the holiday—on Monday—after I go to the store.
•      That manuscript wallowing away on my computer? I’ll submit it once I read it one more time—finish editing it—figure out where I might submit it.
•     Those updates and tweaks I need to do on my website? I’ll finish them when I have time—when I can hire someone to do it—someday…

Excuses Multiply Like Rabbits

I have always loved to write. It made sense to pursue freelance writing in addition to my paranormal and fantasy fiction. What I didn’t realize at the time, was that although there were similarities, these were two very different birds. 

Fortunately, the things I learned would also benefit me as an author. Things like SEO, structuring blog posts, marketing etc. The more I looked, the more information I found. It’s a bit overwhelming. 

Everyone claimed they had just the information I was looking for, and many of them for a price. I signed up for multiple online classes, newsletters and read every article I came across. I started to think that I’d never learn everything. Until I had somewhat of an epiphany this week.

When You Find Out What You Already Knew

A freelance writer recommended a class that she claimed provided her with all the information necessary to succeed in freelancing. 

There it was! The answer that I sought—even though I wasn’t sure what the question was. 

I eagerly asked for the information for the class, and discovered…it was the same one I already took…a year ago. There was no magic answer. No easy button. Have I had the answers all along and just not the confidence? I wasn’t taking the very advice I gave my daughters. (I wrote about that in this blog post.)

Time Waits for No One

It seems what I discovered could be applied in more than one area of my life. I’m always looking for the answer, or waiting for the right time, and neither of these are apparent when they come along. No one announces that this is the right time to start that diet, finish that book, submit that story. We must decide that for ourselves. 

Granted, there are always obstacles to reaching a goal. But perhaps some of them are ones we impose upon ourselves. We might be ready right now, but it takes overcoming the fear of change, rejection, or a new endeavor to move forward. The only way to grow is to have the courage to learn from our mistakes. That's when the magic happens.

Do you struggle with finding confidence? How do you push yourself to stop stalling and chase your dreams and goals?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter