Stop Waiting on Your Life

This week I spent nearly an hour on hold with tech support.
That tinny music. The recorded voice. The occasional “your call is important to us.”

And while I sat there waiting, I kept thinking of all the things I could be doing. The email I could send. The walk I could take. The idea I could finally start.

Instead, I was paused. On hold. Not really living – just waiting for someone else to pick up so my life could resume.

It made me wonder: how many of us are doing the same thing with our lives?

Are you “on hold” right now?

Waiting for the right partner.
Waiting until you feel more confident.
Waiting until you’ve lost weight, saved money, found time, felt motivated.
Waiting for a job, an opportunity, a sign, a Monday.
Waiting for things to finally line up so you can begin.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
The people who are living the lives you want aren’t the luckiest or the most talented. They’re simply the ones who stopped waiting.

They kept moving – even when they weren’t ready.
Especially when they weren’t ready.

If you’ve been stuck in a holding pattern, here are a few ways to gently – but firmly – take your life off pause.

1. Focus on who you want to be, not just what you want

When we set goals, we often focus on outcomes.
“I want to lose 15 kilos.”
“I want a better job.”
“I want a tidy house.”

But outcomes can feel far away and overwhelming. They keep us stuck in “someday.”

Instead, shift the focus to identity.

Ask yourself: Who am I becoming?

Instead of “I want to get fit,” try: “I’m someone who looks after her body and moves daily.”
Instead of “I want to write a book,” try: “I’m a writer who writes a little every day.”
Instead of “I want a more organised home,” try: “I’m someone who creates calm, usable spaces.”

Notice how different that feels.
Identity creates direction. It gives you a way to act today, not just dream about tomorrow.

A woman who sees herself as someone who values her health might take a 10-minute walk on her lunch break instead of waiting for the “perfect” gym routine.
A person who sees themselves as financially responsible might review their bank account weekly instead of avoiding it until things feel dire.

You don’t need to achieve the whole goal to start becoming the person.
You just need to act like them – in small, consistent ways.

2. Find the 20% that’s draining 80% of your energy

Often, we feel stuck because something in our life is quietly draining us.
A job we dread.
A cluttered home that overwhelms us.
A relationship that feels heavy.
Constant financial stress.
Chronic over commitment.

There’s a principle that says 80% of our problems often come from just 20% of our life. And when you identify that 20%, things start to shift.

Take a moment to ask yourself:
What’s taking up the most mental space right now?
What do I complain about the most?
What leaves me feeling depleted week after week?

Maybe it’s the spare room that’s become a dumping ground and silently stresses you every time you walk past.
Maybe it’s saying yes to everything and having no time for yourself.
Maybe it’s staying in a job you’ve mentally outgrown but haven’t had the courage to change.

You don’t have to fix everything at once.
Just start with the one area that would make the biggest difference if it improved.

Sometimes reclaiming your life isn’t about doing more.
It’s about removing what’s quietly weighing you down.

3. Start assigning real value to your time, energy and space

One of the biggest reasons we feel stuck is that we treat our time and energy as if it’s unlimited – when it’s not.

Every “yes” costs you something.
Every purchase takes up space.
Every commitment takes time and mental bandwidth.

Saying yes to scrolling for an hour means saying no to a walk, a conversation, or an early night.
Buying another pair of shoes means saying no to space in your wardrobe – and often, peace in your home.
Filling your schedule with obligations means saying no to rest, creativity, or spontaneity.

Before you say yes to something, try asking:
Is this valuable enough to take up space in my life?
Is this worth my time, energy, money or attention?

If the answer is no – or even “not really” – that’s your cue.

A woman I once spoke to realised she spent every Sunday catching up on chores because her entire Saturday was filled with social obligations she didn’t even enjoy. When she began saying no to just one of those commitments, she suddenly had time to exercise, cook properly, and feel ready for the week. Nothing dramatic changed – except what she chose to value.

When you start valuing your time and energy, your life begins to feel less crowded and more intentional.

Stop sitting on hold

Life doesn’t suddenly begin when everything is sorted.
It doesn’t start when you’re more confident, more organised, more secure, more ready.

It’s happening now. In the messy middle. In the unfinished plans. In the small steps.

You don’t need a perfect plan to move forward.
You just need motion.

Send the email.
Clear one drawer.
Take the walk.
Apply for the role.
Start before you feel ready.

Because the longer you wait for life to begin, the more of it passes while you’re on hold – listening to the same old music, hoping someone else will pick up the line.

Don’t wait for permission.
Don’t wait for perfect timing.
And don’t wait for a different life to magically arrive.

Pick up where you are.
And start living.

Categories: : Business tips, Motivation