You have two choices today. Multiply your efforts or multiply your excuses. Generally, you will do one or the other.

Despite what the marketers might like to tell you, real results take real work, and making a dent in the world with your creativity takes work, sometimes a lot of it.

There are a million reasons, “why not”.

There are another thousand or so that exclude you from being one of the “few”.

There’s, “it’s alright for him”, or, “but she’s got/has/did/is, and I’m not”.

Add to that a truckload of “but’s”, “if’s”, and “when’s”.

Mix in the maybes and the morrows.

It’s actually a miracle we ever get anything done!

And I’m not immune to excuse-itus. Action taking comes with its own special danger.

There are many reasons people “don’t”. Uncertainty is the biggie.

Any decisive action we take comes with an inevitable slice of uncertainty.

Will it work? What if it doesn’t? What will I look like if? What will people think?

In the world of “why’s” the reasons we do or don’t act depends on where the weight of terror weighs.

I have learned to lean heavily on the question, “What will happen if I don’t take action?” rather than its opposite (in the negative sense), “what if I do?”

I cannot really determine the outcomes of “what I do?” As I mentioned, there are uncertainties in the mix that I have no view of until I actually start moving.

But there’s a sure and definite answer to, “What if I don’t?”

Nothing. Nothing will happen if I don’t. No possibilities or surprises will occur if I choose not to.

Now for me, that’s a terrifying thought. Far more frightening than the slap my ego might encounter if I try and fail. And who knows, the other side of uncertain is that it might just work!

But for some, the certainty and security of not doing still outweighs the terror of taking imperfect action. At least we know what we know, even if we are unhappy staying the same way day after day. Sure, there might be questions and regrets queuing up for later years when we wonder what might have been, but at least we don’t have to face our fears today. Right?

At the end of the day, or preferably at the beginning of it, despite all of the “reasons against taking action”, you still have a choice.

Will you do what’s in your heart or not?

Will you take a chance and have a go?

Will you wait another day snowed under excuses or will this be the moment you make your move?

No more excuses. No more waiting until. No more wondering what if.

Just do. Badly at first. And get better as you go.

Those dreams and ideas you’ve been carrying for years? Write them down. Start planning how you’ll take action beginning today.

Right now, this very second.

Dump reading what I have written here and type your first words.

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I really mean it.

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Yes, you.

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Stop making excuses!

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If God told you to do something, get to it.