Pierre-Henry Soria – CTO Insights, Software Architecture & Product Leadership

Why Waiting for the Right Moment Holds You Back

Dreaming by the window won’t change tomorrow
Dreaming by the window won’t change tomorrow - Photo by Amin Hasani

Rethinking Priorities

Why Waiting for the Right Moment Holds You Back

Small, intentional actions each day can transform your life—if you focus on what truly matters to you, not what impresses others.

Most of us quietly believe we have plenty of time—that we can start tomorrow, next week, or when life finally slows down. I used to think this way too. But life is much shorter than we imagine, and the future is never guaranteed. Waiting for the “right moment” is a trap that often leads to missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams.

If you can find five minutes to brush your teeth or take a shower, you can carve out ten or twenty minutes for yourself each day. No matter how busy you are—parent, student, or overwhelmed professional—those small pockets of time add up. Ten minutes a day becomes over an hour a week; twenty minutes, more than two hours. In the moment, it seems insignificant, but over weeks and months, it’s transformative.

The Compound Effect: Small Steps, Big Change

The real power isn’t in how much time you spend, but in showing up consistently and with intention. I’ve seen this firsthand. When you dedicate even a short daily window to something meaningful—learning, building, creating—you unlock the compound effect. The more you practice, the faster and better you become. You start to see patterns, develop shortcuts, and find new ways to improve.

But mindless repetition won’t get you anywhere. In my work as a developer, I’ve seen what happens when people fall into “code monkey” mode—churning out work without reflection or growth. If you spend twenty minutes a day doing the same thing, the same way, without ever asking how you might do it better, you stagnate.

So, every day, ask yourself: how can I improve tomorrow? What did I learn today? How can I make my next session more effective? This mindset of constant, curious iteration is what leads to excellence, especially for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and anyone managing their own time.

The Myth of “Later”—And Why It’s So Dangerous

It’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll start when I have more time,” or “I’ll invest in my dream when I have more money.” But who says you’ll have more time in three weeks, or more money in three months? Life is full of surprises—unexpected expenses, new responsibilities, shifting priorities. Even as your income grows, so do your expenses and expectations. “Lifestyle inflation” means you might never feel truly ready.

Empty moments slip away, unnoticed opportunities
Empty moments slip away, unnoticed opportunities - Photo by Viktor Danov

I’ve met people who chase the “focus money” dream—working grueling hours in finance with the hope of one day telling their boss off and retiring to renovate a farmhouse in the French countryside. But life rarely unfolds so neatly. People meet partners, start families, and suddenly, the window for change narrows or closes altogether.

The only way to move forward is to stay anchored to your goal. Every day, remind yourself: what is my objective? What can I do today to get closer to it? At the end of each day, reflect—what went well? What could I have done better? Did I organize my time effectively? Was I weighed down by negativity or mental clutter? What can I do tomorrow to clear that away?

This daily audit isn’t just about productivity—it’s about mental clarity and well-being. By sweeping away what doesn’t serve you, you make space for what does.

Productivity Isn’t the Goal—Happiness Is

Productivity is only valuable if it serves your well-being. There’s no point in doing more if it comes at the cost of your happiness.

That’s why I created my “deep immersion” workshop. It’s not just about getting more done—it’s about doing the right things, in ways that make you happier and more fulfilled. Even if you’ve taken countless courses on organization, time management, or self-confidence, I believe you’ll find something new and valuable in this approach. But it only works if you put it into practice.

The doors to my workshop aren’t always open, and when they are, it’s for a limited time. Once you’re in, you have lifetime access—including updates, because I’m always learning and adding new insights. Teaching what I learn is how I internalize it myself.

Are You Living for Yourself—Or for Others?

It’s easy to get swept up in trends, to buy things or chase goals that don’t actually resonate with you. Maybe it’s a flashy car or a certain lifestyle—often, it’s not really for you, but for the image it projects.

Reach now—don’t wait for perfect light
Reach now—don’t wait for perfect light - Photo by Liana S

Take a moment to ask: are you doing what you do for yourself, or to impress people you don’t even know? If you’re not careful, you’ll waste precious time chasing someone else’s dream.

Instead, focus on what truly excites you. What makes you want to jump out of bed on a Monday morning? If you can fill your days with things that light you up, you’ll find yourself eager to start—not just on Fridays, but every day.

Three Questions to Guide Your Day

To keep yourself on track, I recommend a simple practice. Each morning, ask yourself:

  1. What are the three most important things I want to accomplish today?
  2. Why do these matter to me?
  3. How will I feel at the end of the day if I’ve done them?

Throughout the day, check in: am I moving toward these goals, or am I drifting? Every couple of hours, pause and reflect—am I proud of how I’ve spent this time? What could I do differently next time?

This habit of regular self-checks helps you stay aligned with your true priorities, rather than getting lost in distractions or obligations that don’t serve you.

Curiosity Opens Doors

Opportunities rarely come knocking—you have to go out and find them. Curiosity is your best ally. When you approach life with an open, positive mindset, you’re more likely to say yes to new experiences, meet interesting people, and stumble upon paths you never would have found otherwise.

Time ticks by while you hesitate
Time ticks by while you hesitate - Photo by Allen Y

Of course, it’s important to be prudent. But don’t let caution turn into paralysis. If you’re too guarded, you’ll miss out on the richness of life.

The Best Time Is Always Now

There’s a saying I love: the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is today. If you wait three more weeks, you’ll have to wait twenty years and three weeks for that tree to grow. The same is true for your goals, your dreams, your happiness.

Time is the only resource you can never get back. Money comes and goes, but today—this moment—will never return. So make it count. Don’t do things to impress others; do what makes you come alive.

If you can wake up excited for your day, if you can fill your hours with things that matter to you, you’re already winning. Otherwise, it’s all too easy to drift—scrolling aimlessly, letting days slip by without purpose.

So, what are the three most important things you want to accomplish today? What will you do, right now, to move toward them? Every small effort counts, and the only moment you truly have is now.


Pierre-Henry Soria

GitHub · PierreHenry.Dev · YouTube

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