"Si vous remettez tout à plus tard jusqu'à ce que vous en soyez sûr vous n'accomplirez jamais rien"

Procrastination is a sneaky thief that steals our time and dreams. The core idea here is that waiting for the perfect moment or absolute certainty can paralyze us into inaction. If you always wait until you're completely sure about something, you'll never actually accomplish anything. Life demands a bit of risk and uncertainty, and taking action often leads to the clarity and confidence we seek.

This wisdom echoes through the ages, but it feels particularly relevant now, in a time when we’re constantly bombarded with information and choices. Think about it: the more options we have, the more paralyzing it can be to make a decision. This quote might have been uttered in the midst of the Industrial Revolution or the rise of the internet age—both times of rapid change and uncertainty. But regardless of the era, the principle remains the same: action breeds results.

Imagine someone who's been dreaming of starting their own business. They’ve got a fantastic idea, maybe even a killer business plan, but they keep putting it off. They wait for the market to be just right, or for more funding, or for the perfect moment when their life is less hectic. Years pass, and that dream remains just that—a dream. Meanwhile, others with perhaps less ideal circumstances or even less solid plans have jumped in, learned along the way, and are now thriving. They didn’t wait for certainty; they acted and adapted.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing the areas where you’re stalling. Are you waiting for the perfect conditions that might never come? Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. Take that first step, even if it’s small. The clarity you seek often comes through action, not before it.

Let me tell you about my friend John. He wanted to write a novel for years. He had the plot outlined, characters fleshed out, but he was stuck waiting for the ‘perfect’ time—when work was less busy, when the kids were older, when inspiration struck like a bolt of lightning. One day, over coffee, I challenged him: just write one page. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Just get something down. Reluctantly, he did. And guess what? That one page turned into a chapter, and then another. It wasn’t easy or perfect, but John’s book is now in the hands of an editor. All because he stopped waiting for certainty and started writing.

Think of your own life. Maybe it’s not a novel, but a different kind of project or decision—learning a new skill, moving to a new city, or even just starting a fitness routine. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back. Take the leap, even if it’s a small one. The path will become clearer once you start walking it.

Inaction is the biggest thief of all. So, take the plunge. Make the call. Write the first word. You might not be sure, but you’ll be one step closer to where you want to be. And that’s how things get done.