Have you ever had a dream that you wanted to achieve but was never able to? Maybe it was something like learning how to play guitar, running a marathon, speaking fluent Mandarin, or becoming an entrepreneur. Now you may be thinking "why don't I just buy the book?" Or maybe "I'm going to go on vacation next week so I can write while I'm on my trip," or even "I'll make extra money when _____." It’s natural to think this way because in our society it seems like the only way you will succeed is by applying and not buying.
The thing is, do you really need to buy the guitar? At first this may seem like the fastest and easiest way to learn, but think about it for a second. Do you really need to spend money on a guitar or can you go out in your local neighborhood and ask around until someone doesn't mind teaching you? You never know what could happen when asking around. It could be one of the best lessons in your life, or it could be one of the worst encounters ever! You never know, but by asking and not buying, you are at least taking a chance that could possibly change your life.
The same goes for "I'm going on vacation next week so I can write while I'm on my trip.” I know you probably think that nobody will use their time to help you out, but think again. There is a positive chance that a reader will be so nice and willing to lend an ear to your story. They could also be motivated enough to actually buy the book after reading it, and of course, if nothing else they would have gained something from giving you their time.
The last one I chose is one that really challenges our society's mindset on how it should work in order for us to succeed: "I’m going to make extra money when _____." I find this common mindset in almost every area of life not only frustrating but also a bit sad. By depending on someone else to give you something or fix your problems for you, it is saying that you are unable to do so yourself. It is allowing people to take advantage of you which only hurts your chances of success. This leads me to my last point: Are you willing to take a chance?
This might sound like I am encouraging procrastination, laziness, and expecting other people to bail us out. Actually I'm not; I'm challenging my readers' beliefs on the mindset they have been living with while encouraging them and giving them the confidence they can achieve their goals if they really want it. So please don't read this as "I will not pay for lessons because I can get lessons for free. I will not buy a book because I can get books for free! And I won't even ask someone to encourage me because they are just going to take advantage of me!" No, you are the ones who choose that mindset and it is up to you to shift your beliefs so that one day you actually do achieve your goals. Which brings us back to "I'm going on vacation next week so I can write while I'm on my trip." There is a chance that the reader will be so kind and generous and your story will be amazing. And there is also a chance that it will be awful and you will end up feeling like a failure.
That's enough for today, but now I want to encourage you to take action towards your goal. I think we all have some goals in life, so why wait? As long as you are doing something, even if it is something small, chances are that it's working. It may be something as simple as "I'm going to go to the store right now and get some eggs." Or "I am going to call my mom and wish her happy birthday." Or "I'm going to finish this book." No matter what you start thinking of right now, just do it.