How to Move Forward Without Waiting for the Perfect Moment
Taking action is the real secret to moving forward in life. When you act, you progress faster in everything you do. You always stay one step ahead because your decision-making becomes much quicker. Instead of spending hours or even days overthinking, you simply decide and move. If you hesitate, maybe it’s not the right choice. But if deep down you know you want something, and the only thing holding you back is what others might think or what seems “reasonable,” then it’s probably the right decision for you.
Let’s talk about real-life choices. I live in Australia, and recently I wanted to travel to Asia—Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Japan. I hesitated for ages. I hadn’t taken a vacation in over three years. I’d just started a new job, had fewer days off, wanted to make a good impression, and had a mountain of work. But travel is in my DNA. It’s a passion, and yes, it’s expensive, but I could afford it. Still, I kept asking myself: Should I really do this?
Making these decisions isn’t easy. You go back and forth, but deep down, you know what you want. The idea of leaving for two months, spending a week in each country, is exciting. Rewards matter. Some people might say, “After the holidays, it’s back to the daily grind. Nothing changes.” That’s not true. You come back from a trip refreshed, with new energy and ideas. You learn so much, meet new people, and sometimes those connections change your life. Maybe you’ll meet a future business partner or even someone special.
For me, there’s another layer: my girlfriend can’t travel with me. She doesn’t need it the way I do. That makes the decision harder, because I’d have to go alone. I’m pretty independent, and I actually enjoy solo trips. For me, vacations are a chance to learn, read, step back from daily life, and even create new things. I love coding and updating my open source projects, and I often do that while traveling. For me, sitting on a beach with my laptop is just as much a vacation as anything else.
But here’s the thing: you have to act. Sometimes you hesitate because of your partner, your job, or wanting to please others. But your life is yours. If you’re happy, you’ll have more to give to others. If you’re unhappy, it’s much harder to be your best self for those around you. Everyone wants their loved ones to be happy. That’s natural. But you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Think about the airplane safety instructions: you’re told to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others. If you don’t, you might pass out and be unable to help anyone. The same goes for life. If you don’t take care of yourself—physically and mentally—you won’t be able to help others. Psychologists know this too; they need to keep a healthy distance to be able to help their clients. You need to protect your own space to give your best.
That’s why taking breaks and vacations is so important. If you don’t, your performance drops, you get frustrated, and it becomes a vicious cycle. The more frustrated you are, the less well you work, and the worse you feel. But if you know how to take care of yourself, take breaks, eat well, and keep a balanced life, things start to go right. It becomes a positive cycle.
So, when it comes to your dreams and the things you want to do, act now. Make decisions quickly, especially if you know you might regret not doing it later. A good question to ask yourself is: Will I regret not doing this in the future, or even on my deathbed? If the answer is yes, then you know what to do.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
— Dalai Lama
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.
— Chinese Proverb
Key Takeaways
- Acting quickly helps you move forward and stand out.
- If you know deep down you want something, don’t let fear or others’ opinions stop you.
- Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s necessary to give your best to others.
- Vacations and breaks are vital for your well-being and performance.
- Ask yourself: Will I regret not doing this later? If yes, go for it.
Reflection
- What decision have you been putting off that you know you want to make?
- Are you taking care of yourself so you can be your best for others?
- What’s one action you can take today to move closer to your dream life?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Entrepreneurship #Motivation #Nomad #Personal Development #Self-Improvement #Success #Taking-Action #Tech