Are You Making a Mistake by Telling Yourself You Have Time?

So many of us live with this mindset—telling ourselves that we’ll go after what we want when the circumstances are perfect. We put off our dreams, goals, and happiness, waiting for some distant day when we’ll be “ready.” I’ve seen it time and again in my own social circle, at work, and even in myself. People say they’ll finally pursue their goals when they’re happy, when they’ve lost weight, when life calms down a little. And while these are valid desires, the truth is that life is rarely, if ever, completely perfect or calm.

Life will always be busy, and the things we want to change about ourselves or our situations may not happen on their own. There's always another project, another personal challenge, another reason to wait. If you’re waiting for some ideal moment, you might wait forever. That “perfect time” might never come.

Why do we do this? Because change is hard. Growth takes us out of our comfort zones, often throwing us into the unknown. Going after a new career path, moving to a new place, or starting a fitness journey can feel daunting and overwhelming. There’s fear—of failure, of judgment, of what people might say. Taking action requires that we confront all of these things, which is why so many people opt for the safety of “one day.”

But here’s the reality: time doesn’t wait. Days, months, years pass by, regardless of whether we’re ready, happy, or in the “perfect” place. And if we’re not careful, we wake up years down the line, realizing we’re still in the same place, with the same wishes, only now there’s a sense of regret over what could have been. We end up waiting our lives away for a “readiness” that never comes, while life keeps moving forward.

I completely understand why people hold back. If something isn’t working in your life, it’s natural to want to wait until you’re feeling strong, confident, and fully prepared to make a change. But consider this: the best time to change something that isn’t making you happy is always now, even if you don’t feel fully prepared. Start with the smallest action. Every small step you take will build momentum, and momentum will lead to confidence. The moment you stop waiting and start doing, you’re already taking control.

It’s not about recklessness or rushing; it’s about acknowledging that perfect conditions don’t exist. Instead of waiting to feel completely happy or to reach a specific milestone, start moving in the direction of your dreams now. You don’t have to be the “ideal” version of yourself to get going. Start the journey even if you feel imperfect, scared, or unsure—because time will pass whether or not you’re taking action.

Waiting for happiness, health, or any other ideal condition to show up before you live your life fully is like chasing a mirage. So, take a chance on yourself, even if you’re not ready. Stop waiting and start doing, because time doesn’t wait for any of us. Happiness, fulfillment, and growth don’t happen because life suddenly becomes easy—they happen because you choose to embrace the process, right now, even with all its challenges. We all like to think we have time. It’s a comforting thought that brings with it a sense of security—a reassurance that we can wait to start working on that project, hold off on that big move, or delay reaching out to an old friend. But in reality, telling ourselves we have time is the biggest mistake we can make.

This mentality is subtle, often hidden in excuses like “I’ll do it next year,” or “It’s just not the right time right now.” And while these words may seem harmless, they can quickly add up to missed opportunities, faded dreams, and paths not taken.

Here’s why believing you have all the time in the world might be the one thing holding you back from living fully.

1. Time is Never as Abundant as It Seems

When we’re young or simply comfortable, it’s easy to feel like we have an endless supply of days ahead of us. We focus on career goals, relationships, and dreams as if they’re items on a to-do list that we’ll eventually get to. But life has a way of challenging this illusion, often reminding us just how finite time is.

Unexpected changes—health issues, lost opportunities, even shifts in our priorities—can dramatically reduce the window of time we have to accomplish what we desire. We can’t predict when life will throw a curveball, but we can make sure we’re not letting these moments slip by simply because we believed we had “plenty of time.”

2. Waiting to Start is a Form of Procrastination

Procrastination isn’t just about putting off responsibilities or chores; it’s also about delaying our dreams, passions, and relationships. We tell ourselves we’re waiting for the “right time” to take action, but often that’s just a way of avoiding the discomfort that comes with change.

Starting anything new, whether it’s a career change, a personal goal, or even a relationship, can be daunting. By telling ourselves we have more time, we give ourselves an excuse to avoid the risk of failure, criticism, or rejection. But growth happens when we push beyond our comfort zone, not when we delay action.

3. The ‘One Day’ Trap Can Turn Into Never

How many times have you told yourself you’ll get to something “one day”? The problem with “one day” is that it’s vague, intangible, and has a sneaky way of becoming “never.” Life moves faster than we realize, and as our days fill up with routines and obligations, those big dreams we’ve shelved for later can get lost in the shuffle.

It’s important to remember that if something is meaningful to you, it deserves your time now. If you keep saying “someday,” you may end up looking back with regret, wondering why you let the most important things slip through the cracks.

4. Every Action Builds Momentum

One of the most powerful things we can do is take small, consistent steps toward what we want. These steps add up and create momentum, propelling us forward even if the progress feels slow. By telling ourselves we have time, we rob ourselves of this momentum, starting from scratch every time we revisit a goal we put off.

Think of the people who make their dreams happen. They didn’t wait for the stars to align or for all circumstances to be perfect. Instead, they worked with what they had, embraced the uncertainty, and took the first step—even if it felt small or insignificant. The truth is, waiting rarely builds momentum, but action always does.

5. The Future Isn’t Guaranteed

This isn’t meant to be morbid, but the reality is that none of us know how long we’ll be here. We assume we’ll have time to make amends, pursue our passions, or connect with loved ones. Yet, life can change in an instant, and putting things off only adds to the risk of regret.

Living with urgency doesn’t mean rushing through life or making reckless decisions. It means prioritizing what truly matters and acting on it now. It means putting our energy where it counts, rather than hoping that tomorrow will still be an option.

So, What Can You Do Today?

Here’s a challenge: think of one thing you’ve been putting off because you believe you have time. Maybe it’s taking that solo trip you’ve been dreaming about, or maybe it’s having a difficult but necessary conversation. Whatever it is, choose to take one step today—even if it’s small.

The goal is not to be impulsive but to be intentional. When we stop telling ourselves we have all the time in the world, we start to live with purpose. We make choices that reflect our values, our dreams, and our goals, rather than simply floating along and hoping everything will work out eventually.