How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Top 3 Priorities
Every day, I hear people talk about what they’ll do tomorrow. They say, “Tomorrow I’ll start writing my book,” or “Tomorrow I’ll finally sign up for the gym,” or “Tomorrow I’ll begin saving for a house.” Some dream of launching a business, traveling the world, or even just taking a break to recharge. But for most, tomorrow never comes. There’s always something in the way: not enough money, not the right time, too many responsibilities, or simply the feeling that life is too busy.
The truth is, our days are short. Each one is just 24 hours, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. That’s why it’s so important to start working on the projects that matter to you right now.
Recently, a friend at my coworking space told me he’d wanted to volunteer in Kenya for three years. He dreamed of working with elephants and going on safari, but he still hadn’t done it. Why? Work, daily life, and a thousand little things kept getting in the way. It’s like having sticks thrown in your wheels, stopping you from moving forward.
Money is another common excuse. There’s this idea of “f*** you money”—having enough saved up to finally live your dream life. People set a number, like 5,000 euros a month, thinking that’s the magic amount. But as income grows, so do expenses. This is called lifestyle inflation: the more you earn, the more you spend. You might save a bit, but it never feels like enough. So the dream keeps getting pushed back.
Tim Ferriss popularized the idea of a “mini-retirement” in his book The 4-Hour Workweek: taking six months off every couple of years to travel or learn something new. I tried this myself, taking a six-month sabbatical while still technically employed. I traveled, learned new programming skills, and started open-source projects. It was an incredible experience. I remember buying fruit at the market, taking cheap buses, swimming, listening to podcasts, and learning Spanish. Maybe your dream is something similar. If so, you need to start now. There’s never a perfect time, and waiting for one is just another way to avoid action.
Life moves fast. We often tell ourselves, “I’ll have more time later,” but that’s rarely true. Projects always take longer than expected. Even when you get extra days to finish something, you end up exhausted and still not done. The key is to accept that you can’t do everything, and that’s okay. We all have the same 24 hours. Sometimes you work from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., but there are limits. You need to know yours.
The real secret is to focus on what brings you joy. Prioritize the things that make you happy, because that positive energy will fuel everything else. Life is beautiful and deserves to be lived fully. Identify what truly matters to you—what makes you feel alive. For me, it’s hiking. I love exploring new trails, whether in New Zealand or, hopefully soon, New Caledonia.
Once you know your number one priority, you can let go of the rest. Maybe you wanted to start another project, but if it’s not your top priority, that’s fine. By having a clear system of priorities, you can dedicate real time and energy to what matters most. For example, if volunteering in Kenya is your top goal, spend an hour each day planning it, even if it means sacrificing other things. Everything else comes after.
After you achieve one big goal, you’ll feel recharged and maybe even discover new directions for your life. You might meet people who inspire you or realize what you want next. Then, you set a new top priority—maybe starting a business, moving to a new city, or learning to cook. The important thing is to always know what your number one priority is. That way, you never feel lost or guilty for putting things off, because you’re always working on what matters most.
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. — Stephen Covey
You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. — Martin Luther King Jr.
It’s not about being more productive just for the sake of it. It’s about doing more of what matters and feeling better while you do it. If you spend all day at your computer, you might think you’re getting a lot done, but you’ll end up drained and unhappy. You need balance—time for work, time for social life, time for exercise, and time for rest.
So, take a hard look at your life. What are your top three priorities? What’s the one thing you want to do before anything else? Focus on that, and let the rest wait. You’ll be amazed at how much more fulfilled you feel.
Key Takeaways
- Stop waiting for the perfect moment—start now.
- Identify your top priority and give it real attention.
- Accept that you can’t do everything, and that’s okay.
- Focus on what brings you joy and energy.
- After achieving one goal, set a new top priority.
- Balance productivity with well-being.
Reflection
- What is my number one priority right now?
- What am I putting off for “tomorrow” that I could start today?
- Am I spending my time on what truly matters to me?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Entrepreneurship #Goal-Setting #Money #Motivation #Nomad #Priorities #Productivity #Tech #Time-Management #Wealth