Comments on: Saying “I Will Do It In The Future” Is an Excuse for Failure http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:34:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: impressed person http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-970375 impressed person Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:55:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-970375 Upon reading this article, I feel it relates to pretty much everything I do everyday... and I always say I'm gonna do it later, I will do it later and at the at that time, I always mean it but later never comes. Until I've read this article I've never actually thought about how little I get done as a result compared to how much more could be done. I guess you could say that this article is gonna be my reminder as to why now is always better than later. And will be my push into getting a job done. And the whole balancing things by #37 i completely agree. I happen to feel that most families do not spend enough time together and tend to end up with bad family relationships... I'm 17 and live with my mother, but I only see her once a week if I'm lucky, and when I do all I can think to say is hi and then I go upstairs to my room because anything after that socially feels awkward, I feel this is due to a lack of communication between us and at this point it seems downhill does that sound like a good relationship? so word of advice to the parents spend time with your kids while their still kids, because if you don't you might end up with a relationship where your child will feel awkward around you. PS. this is biased, for anyone who doesn't know what that means; it means it is written from my point of view, that doesn't necessarily make it true, it is arguable. Upon reading this article, I feel it relates to pretty much everything I do everyday… and I always say I’m gonna do it later, I will do it later and at the at that time, I always mean it but later never comes. Until I’ve read this article I’ve never actually thought about how little I get done as a result compared to how much more could be done. I guess you could say that this article is gonna be my reminder as to why now is always better than later. And will be my push into getting a job done.

And the whole balancing things by #37 i completely agree. I happen to feel that most families do not spend enough time together and tend to end up with bad family relationships… I’m 17 and live with my mother, but I only see her once a week if I’m lucky, and when I do all I can think to say is hi and then I go upstairs to my room because anything after that socially feels awkward, I feel this is due to a lack of communication between us and at this point it seems downhill does that sound like a good relationship? so word of advice to the parents spend time with your kids while their still kids, because if you don’t you might end up with a relationship where your child will feel awkward around you.

PS. this is biased, for anyone who doesn’t know what that means; it means it is written from my point of view, that doesn’t necessarily make it true, it is arguable.

]]> By: serendipity http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-918463 serendipity Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:48:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-918463 I understand that we should do things as soon as we realize it. But since we can do only one thing at a time , as #13 prufock says, we have to prioritize things in terms of what's really important to do at this right moment. What's really important here, I think, is that you should maintain a good "balance" . For example,if you work all day not having time with your family, you might end up with making a bad relationship with your wife or children. So I think that "balancing" things is also important. I understand that we should do things as soon as we realize it. But since we can do only one thing at a time , as #13 prufock says, we have to prioritize things in terms of what’s really important to do at this right moment.
What’s really important here, I think, is that you should maintain a good “balance” . For example,if you work all day not having time with your family, you might end up with making a bad relationship with your wife or children. So I think that “balancing” things is also important.

]]> By: Guy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-918126 Guy Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:24:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-918126 Great article. Great insight. And often the "fun" thing is only marginally less onerous than the thing you're avoiding. If there was something more fun than that you'd put it off, too. Thanks for the inspiration. Great article. Great insight. And often the “fun” thing is only marginally less onerous than the thing you’re avoiding. If there was something more fun than that you’d put it off, too. Thanks for the inspiration.

]]> By: Judith Waite Allee, author/speaker http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916620 Judith Waite Allee, author/speaker Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:06:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916620 Trent, I love the perspective and I'm *going* to work on my will today! On the other hand, the Serenity Prayer's "wisdom to know the difference" comes into play--you just can't "do it now" for everything. I like David Allen's approach in his book, "Getting Things Done." Capture all "to-do's" and have a "Someday-Maybe" category for things you'd like to do but can't realistically start. The secret is to review the list every week. He says it's amazing how many of those "someday-maybe's," even the wish/dream far-out ones, do eventually materialize into finished projects. I'm still working on implementing the system, but I'm imbued with hope. By the way, the only part of your post that I don't agree with is the 1st sentence: "My office is a mess. I don’t feel like cleaning it – I’d rather play with the kids right now. So I say, “I will clean it in the future,” and I go play. A week later, my office is still a mess." Well, the office can wait. I think a lot of us are guilty of procrastinating on playing with the kids and grandkids so we can check off items on our to-do lists. Kids are only in the present right now. Good for you for playing with the kids! Trent, I love the perspective and I’m *going* to work on my will today!

On the other hand, the Serenity Prayer’s “wisdom to know the difference” comes into play–you just can’t “do it now” for everything.

I like David Allen’s approach in his book, “Getting Things Done.” Capture all “to-do’s” and have a “Someday-Maybe” category for things you’d like to do but can’t realistically start. The secret is to review the list every week. He says it’s amazing how many of those “someday-maybe’s,” even the wish/dream far-out ones, do eventually materialize into finished projects. I’m still working on implementing the system, but I’m imbued with hope.

By the way, the only part of your post that I don’t agree with is the 1st sentence:
“My office is a mess. I don’t feel like cleaning it – I’d rather play with the kids right now. So I say, “I will clean it in the future,” and I go play. A week later, my office is still a mess.”

Well, the office can wait. I think a lot of us are guilty of procrastinating on playing with the kids and grandkids so we can check off items on our to-do lists. Kids are only in the present right now. Good for you for playing with the kids!

]]> By: Mark http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916571 Mark Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:25:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916571 From the title this article seems to be pretty good, but today I simply don't have the time to read it, I will do it tomorrow. Seriuosly I think that we postpone things just because we are not motivated enough. Sometimes we must focus on our goals and start working, even if we will see the result far away in the future. From the title this article seems to be pretty good, but today I simply don’t have the time to read it, I will do it tomorrow.

Seriuosly I think that we postpone things just because we are not motivated enough. Sometimes we must focus on our goals and start working, even if we will see the result far away in the future.

]]> By: Marge http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916214 Marge Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:43:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916214 Yes, we all delay, but there are times when forcing something happen is not worth the energy. The things that need to get done usually happen in due time, with exception of paying off bills and exercising. It does, however, sometimes feel like when you have a little extra cash or time, something is usually waiting in the wings to take it away. It is really about balance, with a dash of luck, and don't forget the karma. Do for others and don't forget yourself. Yes, we all delay, but there are times when forcing something happen is not worth the energy. The things that need to get done usually happen in due time, with exception of paying off bills and exercising. It does, however, sometimes feel like when you have a little extra cash or time, something is usually waiting in the wings to take it away. It is really about balance, with a dash of luck, and don’t forget the karma. Do for others and don’t forget yourself.

]]> By: Some Way of Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916109 Some Way of Life Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:12:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916109 Agree with Prufock's comment. You can't do everything now, so you have to prioritize and ask yourself what you'll be happier about in the future: That you kept a clean office or that you spent more time with your kids? Yeah, yeah, yeah... I get what you're saying though, and I think it is great advice: If there is something you really want to do... or something that you just really need to do, don't wait for the planets to align. That time in the future when you will have more time to do whatever it is you are putting off... it's a myth. That time will never come. If there is something you really want to accomplish, or a healthy habit you want to maintain, you just have to give them the highest priorities you can. Maybe not THE highest... your loved ones certainly deserve some of your time, but sometimes you have to say getting exercise is more important than mowing the lawn. Or getting a personal project done is more important than keeping a clean desk. Sometimes you just have to admit when you probably won't ever get around to something and let it go so it doesn't make you feel guilty for every day it doesn't get done. I must say though...I disagree with the following statement: "There will always be something fun to do, which means there will always be a reason to avoid making the hard changes." In my experience there will be times in life when there really isn't anything fun to do. Family members get cancer, friends die, couples split up or divorce, people get laid off, etc. There are times in life that are dominated by anxiety, pain, hardship, grief, and loss. Fortunately there are also times when we seem to have everything to be thankful for. It's important to enjoy those times and to avoid turning down an opportunity to do something fun with someone you love. Of course you should take care of yourself, your finances, and your family. But if doing all of this creates real conflicts and requires you to choose between work and chores vs fun and family, maybe it is time to consider a major life change. Agree with Prufock’s comment. You can’t do everything now, so you have to prioritize and ask yourself what you’ll be happier about in the future: That you kept a clean office or that you spent more time with your kids?

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I get what you’re saying though, and I think it is great advice: If there is something you really want to do… or something that you just really need to do, don’t wait for the planets to align. That time in the future when you will have more time to do whatever it is you are putting off… it’s a myth. That time will never come. If there is something you really want to accomplish, or a healthy habit you want to maintain, you just have to give them the highest priorities you can. Maybe not THE highest… your loved ones certainly deserve some of your time, but sometimes you have to say getting exercise is more important than mowing the lawn. Or getting a personal project done is more important than keeping a clean desk. Sometimes you just have to admit when you probably won’t ever get around to something and let it go so it doesn’t make you feel guilty for every day it doesn’t get done.

I must say though…I disagree with the following statement: “There will always be something fun to do, which means there will always be a reason to avoid making the hard changes.”

In my experience there will be times in life when there really isn’t anything fun to do. Family members get cancer, friends die, couples split up or divorce, people get laid off, etc. There are times in life that are dominated by anxiety, pain, hardship, grief, and loss. Fortunately there are also times when we seem to have everything to be thankful for. It’s important to enjoy those times and to avoid turning down an opportunity to do something fun with someone you love. Of course you should take care of yourself, your finances, and your family. But if doing all of this creates real conflicts and requires you to choose between work and chores vs fun and family, maybe it is time to consider a major life change.

]]> By: Moe Rubenzahl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916097 Moe Rubenzahl Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:04:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916097 Dan Ariely ("Stuff Your Brain Says", (http://danariely.com) says our brains are not terribly rational in how we judge immediate pain or gain, relative to future. We quite regularly choose satisfaction now that we know sacrifices much greater results in the future. Case in point: Right now, I am supposed to be working. ;P Dan Ariely (“Stuff Your Brain Says”, (http://danariely.com) says our brains are not terribly rational in how we judge immediate pain or gain, relative to future. We quite regularly choose satisfaction now that we know sacrifices much greater results in the future.

Case in point: Right now, I am supposed to be working. ;P

]]> By: Ken Kurosawa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-916094 Ken Kurosawa Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:59:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-916094 Noted! And back to work! Noted! And back to work!

]]> By: Kell http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-915404 Kell Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:14:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-915404 Thank you for the post. I enjoyed the idea of not letting the future take care of itself but rather being proactive in making small steps. Kell Thank you for the post. I enjoyed the idea of not letting the future take care of itself but rather being proactive in making small steps.
Kell

]]> By: Money Reasons http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914950 Money Reasons Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:13:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914950 Sometimes I follow this path with doing things in the future and never doing them. I guess in my mind I will have to make those things I am blowing off more important somehow. Sometimes I follow this path with doing things in the future and never doing them.

I guess in my mind I will have to make those things I am blowing off more important somehow.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914943 Nicole Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:49:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914943 Later: The Best time to do anything Later: The Best time to do anything

]]> By: John S http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914896 John S Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:23:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914896 Not to be contrarian, but I often find that I am spontaneously motivated to complete projects I have been putting off for weeks or even months. One day I'll just be walking by a lightswitch I've been meaning to replace, and it will just hit me. I'll go shut off the power and do it immediately. It was not premeditated and I never know why I chose that exact moment to finally do it. So when I tell myself that I'll do it in the future, when I feel like it... I'm actually telling myself the truth. Obviously, some projects can not wait. For example, it's of little use for me to put on my winter tires in January. I need them on in November. Your advice is well suited to such projects. For that matter, the "Do it now" attitude is fairly useful and motivational in general. We are definitely too inert and complacent as a culture. Not to be contrarian, but I often find that I am spontaneously motivated to complete projects I have been putting off for weeks or even months. One day I’ll just be walking by a lightswitch I’ve been meaning to replace, and it will just hit me. I’ll go shut off the power and do it immediately. It was not premeditated and I never know why I chose that exact moment to finally do it.

So when I tell myself that I’ll do it in the future, when I feel like it… I’m actually telling myself the truth.

Obviously, some projects can not wait. For example, it’s of little use for me to put on my winter tires in January. I need them on in November. Your advice is well suited to such projects.

For that matter, the “Do it now” attitude is fairly useful and motivational in general. We are definitely too inert and complacent as a culture.

]]> By: Pieces http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914894 Pieces Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:56:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914894 Thank you for this post. I have a habit that I need to break and I keep telling myself I will start tomorrow. And you are right--it keeps getting easier to say that as I have set a pattern of putting it off. Now I am going to start today. Thank you for this post. I have a habit that I need to break and I keep telling myself I will start tomorrow. And you are right–it keeps getting easier to say that as I have set a pattern of putting it off. Now I am going to start today.

]]> By: prufock http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914884 prufock Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:00:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914884 It's impossible to do everything NOW. You can't go for a run, clean your office, and rewrite your will all at the same time. You can only pick one, and everything else has to be saved for "in the future." It's a matter of prioritizing. If cleaning your office were more important than spending time with your kids, you would probably do it. If exercising were more important than working on your writing, you would probably do it. It’s impossible to do everything NOW. You can’t go for a run, clean your office, and rewrite your will all at the same time. You can only pick one, and everything else has to be saved for “in the future.” It’s a matter of prioritizing. If cleaning your office were more important than spending time with your kids, you would probably do it. If exercising were more important than working on your writing, you would probably do it.

]]> By: Lindasy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914877 Lindasy Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:02:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914877 Too true. I don't know where the quote came from but growing up I was always told "If you do the things you have to do when you have to do them you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them." Too true. I don’t know where the quote came from but growing up I was always told “If you do the things you have to do when you have to do them you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.”

]]> By: Victoria http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914872 Victoria Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:53:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914872 I'm one to do things immediately, particularly small tasks. I find it takes far less time to just do it right then rather than putting it off. Plus, I don't like it weighing on my mind. And once you're in the beginning or middle stages of a long-term project, I'd say patience is the key. I’m one to do things immediately, particularly small tasks. I find it takes far less time to just do it right then rather than putting it off. Plus, I don’t like it weighing on my mind. And once you’re in the beginning or middle stages of a long-term project, I’d say patience is the key.

]]> By: J. O. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914848 J. O. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:50:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914848 Aha - a slightly different perspective on why I find it harder and harder to do things I've already been putting off. It helps to look at it this way, and makes it seem like I still have a choice, not that I'm just "wired" this way. Well said - thanks, Trent. Aha – a slightly different perspective on why I find it harder and harder to do things I’ve already been putting off. It helps to look at it this way, and makes it seem like I still have a choice, not that I’m just “wired” this way.

Well said – thanks, Trent.

]]> By: Gal @ Equally Happy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914844 Gal @ Equally Happy Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:16:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914844 For me it was even worse. I would say, I'll do it later and then use that to justify extra excess now. "I'm going to start saving tomorrow so I can buy more junk today!" or "I'm going to start watching what I eat tomorrow so let's get some big macs as a last blow out party kind of thing". You're absolutely right though Trent, start now, not later. For me it was even worse. I would say, I’ll do it later and then use that to justify extra excess now. “I’m going to start saving tomorrow so I can buy more junk today!” or “I’m going to start watching what I eat tomorrow so let’s get some big macs as a last blow out party kind of thing”.

You’re absolutely right though Trent, start now, not later.

]]> By: Dog Walking Vancouver http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/06/15/saying-i-will-do-it-in-the-future-is-an-excuse-for-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-914838 Dog Walking Vancouver Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:36:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=5531#comment-914838 This is a great post. Procrastination is the enemy of success! This is a great post. Procrastination is the enemy of success!

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