Starting right now, if you picked up a pencil and started writing that novel you've been thinking of, you'd be a few pages closer to your goal.
Starting right now, if you got that old guitar out and played for 10 minutes a day, you could rock out in a year.
Starting right now, if you put a little extra money in the savings each paycheck you would retire much more wealthy.
Starting right now, if you wanted to get your MBA you could find a program and get signed up.
Starting right now, if you got up from your computer and walked/jogged/ran for 30 minutes you would be healthier in months.
Starting right now, if you wanted to donate your time to charity, thousands of organizations are waiting for your call.
Starting right now, if you hopped over to Wordpress.com, Blogger.com or Typepad.com you could start your own blog.
Starting right now, if you wanted to encourage your coworkers to really get involved in social media they would owe you.
Starting right now, if you wanted to become a mobile marketing expert you could.
Starting right now, if you wanted to market yourself through social media to get a better job in six months you could.
Starting right now, if you wanted to start monitoring social media and begin listening to the conversation in related networks you could.
Starting right now, if you wanted to see what Twitter, Seesmic or any other hot new thing had to offer you could.
You could keep sitting there right now, but the future is undetermined, the possibilities are endless and you are a rock star. You can start right now to make it a better, more successful place for you, your family and your company.
What do you do to get off the couch, pick up the pencil, shut down the browser or focus on professional development even when you don't have to? How do you start right now?
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This reminds me of my very first post on my blog. I was planning and thinking things through so much that I wasn't getting anywhere. I think fear of failure is what stops most people from engaging themselves in the things they want. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I don't define myself from my failures but from what I learn from them. Kudos to this post; it's very inspiring.
Posted by: zoe | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 09:08 AM
What do you do to get off the couch, pick up the pencil, shut down the browser or focus on professional development even when you don't have to? How do you start right now?
I think everyone has a tipping point. I've actually been reaching a lot of mine lately. Without even realizing it until just now, since June of last year I've:
Gotten a new job in a new field.
Started aggressively saving for my first home.
Made a debilitating, chronic health problem manageable (which opened up so many other posibilities others take for granted that I won't get into the seemingly mundane specifics).
Lost some weight (without actively trying).
Started using my LinkedIn account.
Started blogging (a week ago today).
If you would have told me a year ago I'd be where I am today, I wouldn't have believed you. Nothing magical has happened, I just happened to make a bunch of slight changes in direction that have me on a different path to the same goal.
Inertia is a powerful force.
Posted by: Michael Lombardi | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 02:11 PM
great inspirational/motivational post, matt!
Posted by: Adam Singer | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Very motivational. Lucky for me, I started 5 minutes before you wrote this post =P lol
It's all so true, but don't make it seem so easy. We all know it's not as simple as saying it.
Posted by: Corvida | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 01:11 AM
Interesting to note how in the photograph that decorates your fourteen oversimplifications, your hand model is pushing an "easy" button.
Posted by: Rick Wolff | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Matt, what a truly thoughtful and inspirational post. This is the kind of thinking that we all need to espouse - thank you for making it pop.
Posted by: Scott Monty | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 01:31 PM
This is a great blog, Matt. I know that I can get so caught up in the Big Picture forgetting that nothing happens without that first step. Just do the next right thing - it is that simple.
Posted by: Jenn | Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Thank you all for your comments! You guys inspire me to start right now every day.
Posted by: Matt Dickman | Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Awesome post, Matt.
I was at the Cleveland Web Assoc meeting on Jan 31 and really enjoyed your presentation. I'm super happy with what I've read from you since adding your blog to my feed reader. Keep up the great work.
Posted by: Nicki Lock | Monday, February 11, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Nicki -- I'm so glad you stopped by! Thanks for the comment and for subscribing.
Posted by: Matt Dickman | Monday, February 11, 2008 at 10:58 PM
I found this in my Google Reader Starred Items this morning and instead of sitting on my rear end reading the same feeds I'd be reading when I got to work, I went outside and walked for 45 minutes. I feel great, and I'm going to make a habit of it.
Great post. Thank you.
Posted by: Jason Mical | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Jason -- That's fantastic! Kudos to you for making it happen.
Posted by: Matt Dickman | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 08:21 AM