Still where you were six months ago?

Last week, I joined a new gym.

As a former personal trainer, I've belonged to several gyms over the years. But I've spent the last 4+ using my home gym that I built during covid (like everyone else).

I built a pretty sweet setup. That, plus living in a smaller town for the last several years, made it really the only option, as we didn't have many places nearby.

But I found it time to get back to a real gym. I missed the energy, the atmosphere, and being around other people. There's something electric about being in an environment where everyone is there to work on themselves, improve, and reach their goals.

My wife and I toured the facility to make sure it was a good fit for us and our kids. The membership salesman was great.

As we walked through the facility, he asked what I did for work. When I told him I write and run an agency, he said, "That sounds awesome. I want to start my own business one day, too. I have a five-year plan."

5 years is a long wait

Why not get something started right now? I asked.

He said he needed to save up funds to launch his business so he planned on working there for the next five or so years until he had the finances to support taking the leap.

As we dove further into the conversation it turned out he didn't have much of a plan in place at all, let alone any specific milestones or action steps to turn his dream into a reality.

Although I understood his rationale, I found it interesting he hadn't considered starting his business as a side hustle and quietly build in the background. There are so many advantages to this approach.

Number one is getting to validate your idea while receiving a steady paycheck. It also gives you time to iterate, get it right, and become profitable so you can eventually quit your job and focus on your own thing full-time.

Don't get me wrong—I’m a strong believer in diving in without a traditional paycheck as a safety net.

Burn the boats or play it safe?

Personally, I’m all for burning the boats.

It might sound a bit contrarian, but there’s something powerful about putting yourself in a position where you have to make things work.

It’s fascinating to see what people can accomplish when their backs are against the wall. When making something work is the only option, and the consequences of failure are steep. It’s in those moments that people often do the most incredible things.

That said, this wasn't his case. He had a job he seemingly enjoyed. It seemed like a great foundation to serve him as he built his own thing.

I couldn't help but wonder... was this delayed gratification or just procrastination?

Delayed gratification vs procrastination

Delayed gratification is about resisting immediate rewards for future, more valuable ones. While this can help with self-control and long-term goals, excessively postponing meaningful experiences can mean missing out on them altogether.

People often say, “I’ll travel when I retire” or “I’ll get married when I get that promotion,” but what if your health declines or circumstances change so much that these goals become impossible?

What if that salesman suddenly lost his job?

If he had already started gaining some momentum on his side hustle, he could have some income to offset that loss or even the validation he needed to go all-in on his business right then and there instead of waiting and having nothing of his own already working for him.

In short, some experiences won't be available forever. If you don’t create opportunities to enjoy them now, they might never happen.

If you feel like you're still where you were six months ago, here’s a method to help you deliberately take action, create more meaningful experiences, and avoid the trap of excessive delay.

Step 1: Understand the importance of taking action right now

Daily routines have a way of pulling us in, causing us to put off or even forget those experiences we dream about. But don’t let “someday” be your default. Take steps now to make them happen.

Some opportunities are time-sensitive. Age, physical ability, or shifting circumstances can limit what’s possible down the road. The chance to travel to that far-off destination, start that creative project, or pursue an exciting career shift won’t always be there.

Capitalize on these moments while you can. The longer you wait, the more life’s obligations and limitations can narrow your choices. Start now, even in small ways, to bring these experiences into your life and avoid the regret of missed chances.

Step 2: Map out your life into chapters

Divide your life into five-year intervals, creating five distinct chapters. In each chapter, plan meaningful experiences and set important goals that you want to achieve.

This approach helps you create a vision for each phase of life, making it easier to prioritize and pursue what truly matters.

Start by listing up to 20 experiences or milestones you want to achieve—everything from small, joyful moments to major life goals. These could be learning a new skill, traveling to a dream destination, launching that business, or building meaningful relationships.

Whatever it is, capturing these desires now helps you work toward a life filled with purpose and fulfillment, one chapter at a time.

Step 3: Assign action items to each life chapter

Once you've mapped out your chapters, label each with your age range. For example, 25-30, 30-35, and so on. Now, assign the meaningful experiences, goals, and milestones you've identified to the chapter that feels right.

This approach turns your dreams into tangible steps, helping you visualize where they fit in your life story.

Once you’ve gotten this far, take time to reflect.

Are some experiences placed too far into the future?

Will waiting make them harder to achieve? Certain skills and career milestones may have a window of opportunity that won't stay open forever.

What risks come with delaying these experiences?

Delays can mean missed opportunities. If specific goals align with current passions, skills, or available resources, postponing them may lead to regret.

How can you bring these experiences forward?

Think about what adjustments you could make to experience these sooner. Could you start small, break them into manageable steps, or use your current resources to get closer to these goals?

What steps will you take to prepare for the closest chapter's experiences?

Identify actionable steps for experiences in your nearest chapter. These might include saving money, taking classes, networking, or building specific skills to ensure you’re ready when the time comes.

The bottom line

Start today. The future is unpredictable, but by mapping out these chapters, you create a structure that keeps you focused on what you can control and what truly matters.

Seize the moments you can, and make each chapter a fulfilling part of your journey.