No Perfect Time

Just before a recent trip to Italy, I touched base with one of my executives. “This feels like the worst time to head out,” I told her. “We’re deep in OP1, preparing for that big meeting on the 17th. I’m really sorry.” She was, as expected, gracious and supportive. “There’s never a great time for vacation. Go forget about this place for a while.” And so I jumped on a plane, drowning myself in art for several days in a row, better for having done it. I’m currently sitting in London, tossing around the idea of taking an international assignment. I have at least a dozen reasons why it makes no sense (or possibly even terrible sense) at this time in my life. Humans are brilliant at making lists of all the reasons we shouldn’t do or try something; experts at putting things off due to bad timing. But that’s the thing... there is no perfect time... for vacation or taking an international assignment... for leaving that job you hate or getting married... for having a baby or a really tough conversation... for starting your own practice or moving cross country... for getting divorced or having surgery... for going back to school. But we must do it anyway. Because it’s never the right time to stifle our dreams and our growth. To choke on our hearts while we wait for the right time to live.