You’ve probably used the term “mañana” even if you don’t speak Spanish. While many think it means tomorrow, Merriam-Webster defines it as “an indefinite time in the future.” With either understanding, it definitely means deferral.
What did you not do yesterday by deferring it until mañana? Even though you had the same 86,400 seconds yesterday that you had the day before and that you have today, was there at least one thing you didn’t do that you should have?
“Lost time is never found again” — Benjamin Franklin
Was it because you had an unexpected emergency? Was it because you over-scheduled your calendar? Was it because you were reliant on an external person that didn’t come through or an action that didn’t occur? Was it an unpleasant task that you didn’t want to address? Did you lack motivation? Was there a legitimate reason or have you practiced until you’ve perfected procrastination?
“Procrastination is the thief of time” — Edward Young
Was it a fear of failure? Or a fear of admitting failure?
“The beginning of wisdom is to do away with fear” — Yohannes Gebregeorgis
COVID-19 should have taught us all there are no guarantees. We should plan as if there is a tomorrow but live as though there won’t be. It is arrogant of us – of me – to assume anything, especially that we can do tomorrow what we should do today. While we think we have control over our lives, in many ways we don’t. However, we do control our values, which lead to choices, which results in behavior. You will do what is important to you.
“Not failure, but low aim, is the crime” — Bruce Lee
So what do you need to do to get it done? Reprioritize. Attitude adjustment. Mind over matter. Confront fears. Develop resilience. Be honest with yourself and others. Find a sustainable work / life balance. Stop making excuses or blaming others. Discover how to say “no.” Make a decision and move forward. Simply “just do it.”
“An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises” — Mae West
You don’t want to have the same conversation with yourself tomorrow that you’re having today.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” — King Solomon and The Byrds
It’s time.
Make mañana be today.
About Mark Pew
Mark Pew is a passionate educating and agitating thought leader in workers’ compensation and award-winning international speaker, blogger, author and jurisdictional advisor. He has focused on the intersection of chronic pain and appropriate treatment since 2003. He is the driving force and co-founder of The Transitions and just recently launched The RxProfessor consulting practice at https://therxprofessor.com.