Get on the carousel.

I wish I could take credit for that but I heard it on a podcast. The conversation was about procrastination and always waiting for the right time. We all know there is no such thing as the right time. Yet, we keep waiting.

I remember as a kid waiting in line for the carousel and watching, carefully inspecting the details of the horses. Did I want the one with the pink bow? Or maybe the one that had a blue saddle. I really liked the one that had its right foot up, but the one that looked like it was running was pretty great too. Which one? Then I would be ready for my turn. I had my horse picked out. I got through the line and ran as fast as I could around the carousel to the horse, ready to hop on. Then, before I could make it, another kid had stolen MY horse. I could get back in line and wait. I could ask them to switch with me. Or I could pick a new horse.

I wasn’t about to wait in line all over. No way would I ever ask them to switch. I picked a new horse and guess what? The ride was just as fun. It didn’t matter that I didn’t get the “right horse”. It mattered that I was able to take the ride. I didn’t miss out by waiting.

There will never be a “right” time. Things will not always go exactly as you planned. The point isn’t for things to be perfect. The point is to do it anyway. Try anyway. Start anyway. Take the ride, take the leap anyway. When you look back on your life you won’t be disappointed that you didn’t have the exact horse you wanted. You will be happy that you took the ride. You made the memories. You had the experience.

Stop waiting for the right horse, get on the carousel.