“Don’t wait, the time will never be just right.” Napoleon Hill
(Note 56)
In my younger years, my motto was, “I can’t wait.” I couldn’t wait to do what my older brothers could, to experience my first crush, puppy love, and later, my first real relationship. I couldn’t wait to get into high school—and then out of it. I couldn’t wait to graduate, leave home, go to college, and be on my own.
I couldn’t wait for the freedom to do what I wanted: to drink, smoke, skip church, avoid farm chores and labor, hang out with friends, and party on weekends. I couldn’t wait for my first job, to join the Peace Corps, to get married, and to have a family. I couldn’t wait to share my exuberance, my ideas, my special spark—to ignite anyone who would listen. I couldn’t wait to show the world how special I was, proud and confident, while secretly hiding my deep feelings of inferiority.
Now, part of me feels like I’ve arrived, but a bigger part of me still feels like I’m waiting.
Even now, in so many areas of my life, I’m still waiting for the best to come. I recently spoke with a 50-year-old who had been saving and investing since he was a teenager. He told me he could retire at any time. I felt embarrassed—and a little jealous. I never seriously thought about saving until I turned 60. I could kick myself for not putting aside even a little bit each month over the years. But I always told myself, I can always work. I’ll save when I have to. I need the money now… and so on.
Investing in my health is another area I wish I had taken more seriously. While I’ve been fortunate to have good health, play racquetball, and manage only mild high blood pressure, I wonder what my health could be if I hadn’t abused my body in my younger years—through sports injuries, drinking, smoking, and bad eating habits. I’ve heard it said, “We can’t control how long we live, but we can do a lot about the quality of our health.” I believe that now more than ever.
My spiritual journey is ongoing. Finding purpose, answering a calling, serving others, striving to reach my potential, and deepening my faith—these things matter at every stage of life. The sooner we devote time and attention to them, the more fulfilling life becomes. Alongside this, I know I need to become more self-aware. There are thousands of books, videos, podcasts, and research-based tools on personal growth. But society doesn’t do a great job of teaching us how to be introspective or how to use these tools effectively. Still, I have an insatiable thirst for this knowledge.
The sooner I recognize my strengths and weaknesses, the sooner I can truly help others. But don’t be like me—someone who, in his relentless pursuit of self-discovery, has often been selfish, neglecting important relationships. Just ask my daughter, my ex-wife, or even my current wife. There’s a fine line between self-improvement and self-absorption, between growth and selfishness.
So, here’s my advice:
Don’t assume that just because you’ve reached a milestone—graduation, marriage, retirement—you’ll automatically know how to handle life’s unique challenges. The inner work starts from the moment you’re born.
Don’t keep waiting for something better, because you might end up with something far worse than you could ever imagine.
And if you need another piece of advice, read my blog—no matter your age—and see if any of this resonates with you. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that aging is the problem. It’s not. The real challenge is the deeper, internal process we all go through. What applies to me at my age applies to you, too. Stop categorizing experiences by age. We’re all in this together as humans, united in our needs, desires, and aspirations.
If you need a new motto, try this:
Now, not later
Now, not later
Now, not later
EXERCISE:
Are you still waiting for something better to happen?
How much are you truly enjoying the present moment and practicing gratitude?
Until next time, don’t act your age!