Stop Watching & Waiting - Just DO!

Is it just me or do you ever watch other people do things and wish that you could do them? You waste precious time "living vicariously" through other people, never actually living for yourself?

I know the feeling. Oh, I know it well. And here is my advice to you:

Stop watching. Stop waiting. Just DO.

Watching and learning from others is good, but there comes a point when you need to realize your dreams and actually go for them yourself. Eventually, living vicariously through others is just not enough, and you have to take some action of your own. 

Stop watching others and wishing that your life could be like theirs, or that you could be doing what they are doing. Wishing doesn't get you anywhere. Bite the bullet and at least try to do whatever it is that you really want to do. If it doesn't work out, then so be it, but at least you gave it a shot.

Do you watch your co-workers going out and getting promotions or other job interviews and wish that you could be doing the same? Do you spend time reading other people's blogs and wish that you were the one writing the posts? Do you watch a ton of youtube videos and wish that you could be the one making them? (I was guilty of this for a loooong time!) Stop wishing and do it. Nothing is stopping you except you.

You will always be able to find an excuse for why you didn't do this, or why you can't do that. But now is not the time to be making excuses. Now is the time to go after your dreams, no matter what.

What have you been wishing that you could do? Tell me in the comments, and then go out and DO IT!

The Wonders of Being Prepared

http://danieldvork.in/content/uploads/2013/03/procrastination.jpg

Is it just me or do you tend to procrastinate on things? I am probably one of the worst people when it comes to waiting until the last minute, but I have been slowly (and I mean, like, painfully slowly) trying to break myself of this habit.

Granted, some procrastinators may feel that they need the pressure of doing things absolutely last minute in order to get them done and do them well. However, this is not the case for everyone. While I am usually able to work quickly under pressure, the stress that it causes me is just not worth it. As silly and obvious as it sounds, I am learning just how amazing it feels to not only be prepared, but to be prepared ahead of time.

I am the kind of person that will wait until the absolute last minute to do things. I don't know why I am like this, but I always have been. However, I have been trying to stop waiting, and I've realized that the peace that comes with getting things done early cannot be compared to anything else.

Does this mean that I will be doing everything early from now on? Absolutely not. I am sure that my procrastinating streak will show itself every now and again. But especially with the new year right around the corner, I am resolving to try and work towards a "me" that is less of a procrastinator, and more of a doer.

While this post is more for me to kind of jot down some random thoughts on procrastination, I thought I might as well share some of my tips for getting things done ahead of time while I'm at it:

• Make lists, and break down daunting tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. I've talked about this before, but I find that it really does help!

• Set smaller deadlines for yourself. Have an 8-page paper due in two weeks? Set small deadlines for yourself every few days to keep yourself on track. Plan out when you will gather resources, when you'll create an outline, give yourself a "due date" for 2 pages, 4 pages, etc.

• Find/create a work space in which you are most productive. For me, I tend to not be able to get things done when I am home. Because after all, I can't work while my room is a mess...and while I'm at it I might as well just do all of the dishes, laundry, and dusting for the entire house too. Find somewhere that you know you are productive, and schedule some time each week (or each day, if necessary) to go there and get. stuff. done.

These are just a few of my tips on how to stop procrastination before it starts. They may seem silly and obvious to some, but I am hoping that some of you will benefit from one or more of these! 

Do you have any advice for how to beat procrastination? Please let me know!!

The "Right" Time

Is it just me or do you ever hold off from doing something because you are waiting for the right time? You know, that perfect moment when everything is exactly how you want it to be, and the time is just "right"?

Well, let me tell you something. If you are waiting for the "right" time, you will probably be waiting forever. It is never the "right" time for something. Everything will never be perfectly in place how you want it to be, and the situation will never be "just right."

This is not meant to discourage you, but actually to encourage you. To encourage you to go for whatever it is you are holding off on. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect; the "right" time is now.

The time to try something new. The time to go back to school. The time to start looking for that job you really want. The time is now.

I'll admit that it can sometimes feel scary and even risky to go for what you have been waiting for. But I bet that you will feel so happy when you do. Sometimes, you just have to go for things and trust that it will all work out in the end.

The choice is yours: Keep waiting for that "right" time that will never come, or just go for what you really want. What will you do?