If Not Now, Then When?

Traditions, Norms, Mind-sets. Everyday, we are govern by our mind's belief of what we can or cannot do. How often do we challenge this and push ourselves further into the unknown?

I caught up with a very close friend today (Let's call her Sue) and we spoke about how time can normalize the greatness of a person's belief.

About 10 years ago, Sue really believed that she had the power to change things around her and to affect young impressionable people positively day-in, day-out! And why not? After all, Sue's an elementary school teacher and was in a perfect position to bring out the best in the children that she taught...or so she thought. Then the days went by, she found herself struggling to meet her deadlines and focussing her attention on what was typical to the working world - results!

Somehow, the zest and energy that once was, that unstoppable desire to make a difference, had slowly but surely been normalized within the passage of time. She had admitted to me that she was feeling jaded and no longer had the strength or courage to go beyond the required.

My advice is simple.

Sue, BREAK FREE from your normalcy of the mundane. BREAK FREE from your current mind-set that good is enough! IT NEVER IS!

Remember the conversations we once had and your aspirations to make a real difference in these children...in YOUR CHILDREN as you once called them. Achieving the goals of others is good but never good enough for those who demand the most of themselves! These are the ones who make a real difference in the world we live in and whether you are a school teacher or a product designer, you have it in you to make it happen!

If you are afraid to take a step further, take it anyway! For you know that this step will open the floodgates for greater things to come. Often, we are confined within the perception of what we feel is good enough. Be prepared to constantly challenge this and push yourself to greater heights. Remember that your mind is your own worst enemy!

The picture you see above was taken recently in the Gobi Desert where my father-in-law (a man I truly respect) completed a 125km marathon spanning 4 days in the worst possible desert conditions. When he first announced that he was going to take part in this punishing event, it freaked all of us out! At 68, he was clearly (by more than 20 years) the oldest contestant in his batch. And having never remembered him taking part in a marathon, much less a 125km / 4 day marathon in the desert really drove shivers down our spine. 6 months, he had spent training for this event covering up to distances of 35 km a day and having flew to China twice to test run the desert conditions, his mind was made up. In a single sentence, and in his own words, he said, "If not now, then when?" This is certainly a source of inspiration that I will carry with me as a constant reminder of how great a man he is. And if he can challenge himself like this, at his age, why can't we?

I'd like to share with you a short clip of his walk right into the heart of a sandstorm in the Gobi Desert. Fearless, as always and determined to get through it unscathed.



So I urge you now, whoever you are, reading this: Challenge yourself constantly and BREAK FREE from the mind-set that Good is Enough. Make a difference to the people around you and make a difference to this world we live in! If not now, then when?