Now! Archives - Scott's Thinking

Plan Your Golden Years Now

Posted on October 6, 2023

Even if you’re only 15, start planning now. You might simply note the years that you’ll be 60, 70, 80 and 90. Perhaps you’ll write down how much money you’d like to have flow into your pocket each month from your passions, savings and investments. Then you know what you need to accumulate to reach that income goal in 50 years.

Sort your will, funeral arrangements and inheritance planning. Get an outline of these things together and speak to people in these areas or read books and magazines about it.

Spend some time and money to create a very simple and effective plan. You’ll sleep better knowing it’s done and everything has been taken care of. And your family will greatly appreciate it when you’re gone as they can focus on mourning you rather than racing around to sort out the estate, plans and time-constrained challenges.

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Percent Now V Later

Posted on June 22, 2023

Have you ever had these thoughts? Should I party now and hope things get better or should I spend a little time preparing for my future life? The tough part is deciding what the optimal balance is for this constant, once-in-a-lifetime consideration. Should I spend and enjoy today or save now and spend later? The ratio adjusts at every moment, consciously or not. Now is the time to make better, conscious decisions.

Action Gratitude Observe Reframe your thoughts

Enjoy Right Now

Posted on July 23, 2022

Enjoy that you are alive to do this. Sometimes things are good and sometimes they are bad. But you are fortunate to be alive and doing any of it.

Others have died or were never born and can’t even have your bad times. Find something positive in what is happening now for you. Then smile for that element. At least you’ll get through things with a story from it. And it could possibly lead to something much better.

Enjoy right now. It’s all you have.

Action Time

The Right Time Is Now

Posted on May 7, 2021

You’ve been holding back on something. You want to move forward but the timing doesn’t feel right. Well, the right time is now.

The lights may never be green at every intersection from here to your destination. You may have to slow down or stop once in a while. But another green light will appear and you will be able to continue on your way.

However, getting off your bottom, getting in the correct attire and getting in your car is the start of the journey. You can’t be part done until you start. And yes, you may not have all the information you think you need. Few people ever do. Perhaps you’ve waited too long if that is the case.

Make those phone calls and speak to the people you need to. Read what is critical and do what is required, but at least get going. 90% of life is just showing up. If you show up, they may pick you. If you are the only one there at the right time, you may be in luck.

And you never know what the right moment will be, so you best keep showing up. This reminds me of a time I was walking down a street in Sydney, Australia. A police officer stopped me and asked if I could join a police lineup. But that is another story…

The right time is now. Get out there.

Action Time

Get It Done!

Posted on December 28, 2020

Go after whatever it is on your mind. Take the first step today. Phone a friend, call a company or make a plan. Whatever it is, get it done!

Don’t let up and keep moving. The prize will come in the end. You’ll really have to go swiftly. Be sure not to break or to bend.

It may seem easy, especially to say it. But as you move forward you realise there is more to it. There will also be more obstacles than you had predicted. Getting things over the line is seldom easy. The persistence, tenacity, and discipline required can be exceptional.

Regardless, you just need to press on and keep your head held high. Ask some questions, particularly of someone who has knowledge in that area. People are often open to helping. Use your manners and be mindful of the time involved.

It is amazing how much easier it is when you focus and get some help. People are service oriented. In addition, if they know it is your dream, and it is a good, just and fair one, many will go to great lengths to assist.

Map out what the next five steps are to be completed. Then start working on those steps. Don’t delay.

Get it done!

Observe Think About It Time

Now More Than Ever

Posted on November 28, 2020

There are a number of overused phrases and cases of hyperbole in the world at the moment. Perhaps it is occurring now more than ever. ?

This phrase came up while I was reading an article the other day. It noted that, now, more than any other time in history, all people needed to be ‘civically engaged and fight for what’s right’.

I find this to be a throw-away phrase. I doubt the person has thought about what that means. It then makes me wonder whether their other comments will be similar. That ‘add familiar phrase here’ type of writing can be quicker or easier to write. But it may not have as much thoughtful depth as it could have.

I try to consider various reader perspectives when I write – it’s my six chairs test, (in my 24 April 2020 post). Sometimes that means it takes longer to complete the article. However, hopefully it leads to a more accurate delivery of the key thoughts I am having.

I am pretty sure the author meant that she felt it was quite important for people to engage now. I would be surprised if she thought that people had to fight more now for what is right, during this time of relative peace, prosperity, greater equality and improved understanding. Or did she mean we needed to fight more so now than during WW I or II, the US Civil War, the Cold War, or the civil rights movement?

Now more than ever?

Action Progress Reframe your thoughts Time Weight loss

Turn Up The Heat!

Posted on September 4, 2020

Ok, it’s been an unusual start to the year so far. Things may have been out of kilter or offline. However, now it is time to turn up the heat!

I mentioned the other day how it is time to accelerate to the finish. We don’t have a lot of time left to get the things done we want completed this year. So you need to start taking massive action. Lean into these final few months and make the most of them.

Turn up the heat! Get things moving today. Work an hour longer today. Wake up 30 minutes earlier tomorrow and go for that walk or jog you’ve been thinking about. I know you may be reading this on a Saturday morning. That does not mean chill out. That does not mean have a lie in. Double down on those weekend days.

Start a new habit now. Or as soon as you finish reading this. You will create a new bit of dynamism in your life. That will help you shift in other areas too. Work on your Art of Now! Do it, delegate it or dump it. The important piece though is to get moving now.

Act now! Turn up the heat!

Action Reframe your thoughts Time

Everything Starts With A Decision

Posted on August 1, 2020

If you want your life to be different, you need to check off a few decisions. You know which ones. Everything starts with a decision so it’s time to get started.

What decisions have you been putting off? Let’s get into those topics and understand them better. You may even discover a few helpful things about yourself in the process.

Are you avoiding a decision? Have you said you would think about it and then promptly ignored it? What is it that is holding you back from making the decision and diving in?

Someone has to make a decision and if you don’t, someone else will. Don’t wait until the choice is no longer yours. Get determined. Become selfish, in a good way, by putting your needs ahead of all the other people and ideas rolling around in your head.

Stand up straight. Say what you want. Make the decision to go for it. Commit to it and move forward by taking the very next step right now. It will feel so good! It may be a little scary, uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing. However, remain calm and keep going.

Everything starts with a decision. Start making a few and get on with your new life today.

Do it now!