Stop Waiting, Start Living: Why Today Is the Perfect Day to Take Action

October 20, 2024

We all have things we've been meaning to start—whether it's pursuing a new career, taking up a hobby, or working on personal growth. But often, we wait for the "right time" to take that first step. The truth is, the perfect moment rarely arrives. There's always a reason to delay: more preparation needed, a busy schedule, or the fear of failure. If you keep waiting, you'll miss out on the opportunities that today has to offer. The best time to start living your life fully is right now.



One Thought to Keep in Mind


The only moment you truly have is the present. When you put off taking action, you’re letting opportunities slip away. It’s not about having everything perfectly planned or feeling completely ready—it’s about making the most of where you are and what you have today. Starting now, no matter how small the step, is how you build momentum and create change. Each action you take today moves you closer to your goals and transforms your dreams into reality.


Two Strategies to Try


1. Take the First Step, No Matter How Small


Don't let the size of your goal overwhelm you. Start by taking a small, manageable step toward it today. Even if it’s something simple, like sending an email, making a call, or spending five minutes on research, taking action gets the ball rolling. When you take that first step, you break the cycle of inaction and start building momentum.


Questions to Ask Yourself:


  • What’s one small action I can take today that will move me closer to my goal?
  • How can I make that action simple and easy to start?


        By focusing on just one small step, you create a habit of moving forward, making it easier to take the next step tomorrow.


2. Set a 24-Hour Challenge


Give yourself a challenge to take action within the next 24 hours. Whether it's a task you’ve been putting off or a new initiative you want to explore, set a specific goal and a deadline to complete it by tomorrow. This approach forces you to act and eliminates the habit of procrastination.


Examples of 24-Hour Challenges:


  • Reach out to someone in your network you’ve been meaning to connect with.
  • Spend 30 minutes working on a project or idea you've been delaying.
  • Schedule a meeting or plan a task for the upcoming week that you’ve been avoiding.


Completing a 24-hour challenge will give you a sense of accomplishment and the confidence to keep taking action.


One Question to Reflect On


What is one goal or task you've been putting off, and why? Reflect on how taking action today could change your situation. What would you gain from starting now instead of waiting?


Action Step


Pick one thing you’ve been postponing and commit to doing it today. It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it may seem—what matters is taking action. Once you complete it, note how it feels to finally get started and use that momentum to tackle another task tomorrow.


Final Thoughts


Stop waiting for the "perfect time" to start living your life. The truth is, there will never be a moment when everything aligns perfectly. The power to make change lies in the actions you take today. When you start living for today, you seize control of your future and open the door to opportunities you never thought possible. Don’t let hesitation hold you back—take action now and watch your life transform, one step at a time.


The time is NOW.


Until we meet again: Be a Leader. Be a Learner. Be Kind. 


Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr.


Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Click Here to sign up for a complimentary 1-hour leadership consultation with me today! Let's work together to equip you with everything you need to achieve greatness! 


Check out our website at www.jointhebeteam.com for more tips, tools, and resources for leaders! 


share this

Related Articles

By Roy Bishop July 21, 2025
Hey Good People— Let me tell you what shook me awake last week. We were on vacation. A real one. Not a “half-working, still-checking-emails” kind of trip—but one where I stepped away for real. And as much as I wanted the rest, I wrestled with it. Would things fall apart while I was gone? Would I come back to a mess? Would people think I was slacking off? Those thoughts followed me right up until the moment I let them go. Because what I found in the stillness wasn’t weakness. It was wisdom. The Truth That Hit Me Hard I wasn’t falling behind. I was finally catching up—to myself, to my family, to what actually matters. Here’s What That Break Taught Me 1. Rest isn’t a reward—it’s required. We talk a lot about being driven. But when you’re always on, always solving, always showing up… you forget what clarity feels like. Rest gave me back creativity. Focus. Peace. It wasn’t time off. It was time on purpose. 2. Good leadership means you’re not the only one holding it all together. The fear of stepping away comes from the belief that everything relies on us. But true leadership? It’s building a team and culture that thrives whether you’re in the room or not. I didn’t just trust my team—I needed to trust them. And they showed me I could. 3. Moments > Minutes I didn’t track time. I tracked moments: Laughing with my kids. Listening to my wife. Sitting still—no agenda, no title, no hurry. And Then This Hit Me… I’ve been married almost 20 years. In less than 7, we’ll be empty nesters. And I sat with that. Really sat with it. Because for years, I’ve been building, grinding, leading. But those milestones reminded me—the most meaningful parts of life aren’t achievements… they’re moments. The kind that don’t show up on a resume. The kind that don’t trend. The kind you don’t get back. So Let Me Ask You… What are you rushing past right now? What are you chasing that might cost you more than it’s worth? And when you look back years from now—what do you want to remember: The meeting… or the moment? Leadership That Lasts Starts at Home This isn’t a message to work less. It’s a message to live more. To lead not just projects—but your presence. To stop confusing busyness with purpose. To start building a life that your loved ones are actually in, not just around. Try This: Take five minutes today. Write down: One person you’ve been too busy to fully see. One moment you keep saying “maybe later” to. One way you can be fully present this week. Now—do something about it. Final Word Your legacy isn’t built in the boardroom. It’s built at the dinner table. On the porch. In the quiet conversations when you’re fully there. Success means nothing if you miss what matters most. So take the break. Have the conversation. Be where your feet are. Until next time— Be a Leader. Be a Learner. Be Kind. —Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr. Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr. is the founder of The Be Team—a movement rooted in the belief that leadership starts with mindset, not just metrics. Through coaching, training, and real-talk reflection, he helps leaders step up without burning out. Because titles fade—but presence and purpose leave a legacy.
By Roy Bishop May 4, 2025
Rest isn’t a break from leadership. It’s part of the many things that make it up. Recharge, realign, and reset. Tomorrow depends on what you give yourself today.  #jointhebeteam #SoulCheckSunday #TheBeTeam #RestToLead
By Roy Bishop May 3, 2025
Quiet Doesn’t Mean Weak 1 Truth · 2 Strategies · 1 Reflection Weekly Leadership Spark with Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr. We live in a world that often rewards volume over value, noise over nuance. But leadership isn’t always about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about having the clarity to lead when no one’s watching and the courage to move even without applause. Quiet leadership isn’t a flaw. It’s a force. And once you learn to embrace that, you’ll stop shrinking and start standing in your strength. 1 Truth Quiet doesn’t mean weak. It means focused. It means grounded. It means leading with clarity, not noise. Some of the most powerful leaders don’t need a spotlight to make an impact—they lead from within, with quiet strength and confident purpose. 2 Strategies to Live It Out Reconnect with your Why. When you’re rooted in your purpose, you stop waiting for the “right” moment—you create it. Lead from within. You don’t need a title or a crowd to lead. Your daily habits, your energy, and your decisions define your leadership. 1 Reflection Question Where have you been shrinking, waiting, or hesitating to fully show up? Don’t wait for perfect. Show up today—as you are. That’s where growth begins. Bonus Action (Optional): Take 5 minutes. Write down 3 things you’ve been putting off because you didn’t feel ready. Choose one—and take the first step this week. Final Thoughts You don’t have to be loud to be powerful. You don’t have to be perfect to lead. You just have to show up with quiet strength and a willingness to grow. Until next time: Be a Leader. Be a Learner. Be Kind. Let’s keep leading together. — Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr. Want more weekly leadership sparks like this? Join The Be Team today to continue to receive our weekly leadership sparks—quick, clear, and designed for busy leaders who want to grow with purpose. Who is Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr.? Dr. Roy Bishop, Jr. is more than a leader—he’s a mentor, strategist, and visionary committed to helping others step into their full leadership potential. With a proven track record in education, leadership development, and systems transformation, Dr. Bishop empowers leaders to take imperfect action and lead from within. At the heart of his work is The Be Team—a movement that redefines leadership for every generation. Whether you’re a student, educator, executive, or emerging leader, The Be Team exists to help you grow from the inside out. Why The Be Team? Because leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about mindset, ownership, and courage. The Be Team is here to remind you: You already have what it takes. Now it’s time to lead like it.
More Posts
ALL ARTICLES

STAY UP TO DATE

the latest from the be team

Receive an alert anytime a new post drops

Contact Us

A white background with a few lines on it