Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. – Arthur Ashe
One of the biggest traps we fall into, when trying to change our lives or start something new, is the “if only” trap.
Here is what the trap looks like: I could start my business if only I had more money. I would be able to make more money if only I had a college degree. My business would be better if only the economy was better. I would be a much happier person if only I had more positive role models. I would write that book if only there were more hours in the day. My life would be so much better if only, if only, if only…
“If only” is not a trap that someone else sets up to catch you. It is a trap you set up and walk into of your own free will. In fact, “if only” is really just an excuse you are using to avoid doing the hard work necessary for success.
We all have role models, people we admire greatly for their accomplishments. In almost every case, the people we admire the most didn’t start off with a lot of money, or didn’t have great family lives, or never graduated from college. Yet, somehow, these people were able to overcome the “if only” obstacles, they created their own opportunities, worked harder than any of their peers and achieved things nobody thought was possible.
Most people who have achieved great success in their own lives started working on their dreams right where they were. They didn’t wait until their situations got better–they made their situations better. They didn’t wait until they had all of the resources they needed–they made do with what they had at the time. Most importantly, they worked hard and did what ever it was they could do to make their dreams come true.
Do you have a dream? Do you want to change your life? Don’t set up the “if only” trap. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can!
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