Why it's so important to set a deadline...

​There’s a little place near where I live called Tofino.
 
It’s beautiful – right on the coast, with a friendly hippy vibe.

I went there a few years ago (and in fact, it was one of the reasons I decided to move to Canada!)
 
I’ve always wanted to go back, and my husband has never been, so we’ve talked about going a lot.
 
For the past few years, in fact.
 
It’s not too far away – we could make a long weekend of it.
 
It’s not crazy expensive to get to or stay in.
 
But still, we’ve never been.
 
And still we talk about it.
 
(I’m sure you have places like this in your life.)
 
And then, a couple of months ago, we received a wedding invitation from our friends who were getting married in… you’ve guessed it: Tofino!
 
The place we’ve always wanted to go!
 
Woo-ee!
 
Awesome :)
 
So what did we do?

• We booked the time off work.
  
  
• We booked a car for the weekend.
  
  
• We booked our accommodation.

 
Easy!
 
Done!
 
And it struck me:
 
Isn’t it funny how quickly we can get things done when we need to?!
 
When we have a deadline?
 
If it weren’t for the upcoming wedding, my husband and I would probably still be talking about how we “really must go to Tofino” five years from now ;)
 
And yet, all we needed was that little push from our friends. (Thanks, guys!)
 
So here’s my thought for you today:
 
What do you talk about always wanting to do?
 
Where have you always wanted to go, but never got around to it?
 
Is there any way you could make that happen?
 
Why not take the trip this year?!
 
So many people wait until their hand is forced before they change their life:

• Being made redundant means they finally make the career change they’ve always wanted to.
  
  
• Getting a divorce leads to them finally losing the weight they’ve always wanted to and becoming fitter and healthier.
  
  
• Coming into an inheritance means they justify spending the cash to go on the trip of a lifetime.

 
(These are not judgements. See my above statement about not making it back to Tofino :)
 
I just want to get you thinking.
 
The above all happened when circumstances forced people to change.
 
So what would you do if you were given a deadline on a dream?
 
If your hand were forced?
 
Would you quit your job? Move house? Take a long holiday?
 
What if you found out that this was the last year you could do it – would you go for it?
 
How can you make it happen?
 
Most things aren’t as tricky as we think they are.
 
Most things are actually pretty doable.
 
Quitting your job; moving city; losing weight or getting fitter… I bet you all know someone who has done one of these things…
 
So what’s stopping YOU?
 
Let’s make a decision right now – set a deadline. Put it in your calendar. Tell your friends. Make it happen ;)

Good luck! And let me know how it goes :)
 
Claire