In the last few months, think about how many times you have said you weren’t quite ready to:

• Send out a resume
• Start a business you have been dreaming of
• Get out of job that saps the life out of you and get one that energizes you
• Start getting physically fit
• Begin to get your finances in order
• Sell your first piece of artwork

This is just a sample list of what things we all can relate to in some way, shape, or form. What do you think is the most common reason for not starting something, or doing something we know we should do is? I usually hear something like, “It’s not quite ready yet … it’s not good enough (or perfect) yet.” Does this sound familiar to you? Have you said similar things?

I just read a great quote which I think can shed light on why we don’t start things. It says, “Perfectionism is not as much the desire for excellence as it is the fear of failure couched in procrastination.”

We often hide behind saying and thinking things need to be perfect before we start, but really it is fear of failure which keeps us from starting. It is fear which causes us to procrastinate — not the pursuit of perfection or excellence. I am not saying to just do things without thinking or planning — not at all. Do your due diligence and come up with a plan, but then act on the plan.

I love to do things with excellence. I think it is a great goal to do everything in an excellent manner. We need to first define excellence. When we define excellence in the proper way we can then no longer use it as an excuse to not start something because it is not going to be perfect or excellent.

This is my definition of excellence. Excellence: Doing the absolute best you can with what you have — your time, your talent and your treasure. When we think of excellence in this manner we are all on a level playing field.

I am on a level playing field with Bill Gates if I look at excellence in this way. Just because he can spend more money or hire more people to do things for him doesn’t mean his excellence is any better than my excellence. I realize some of you are struggling to really let this sink in, but it’s true. Bill Gates’ excellence is the same as Don Roulo’s excellence — when we do the best we can with the time, talent and treasure we each possess.

You really need to start looking at things this way or you will continue to procrastinate. You will never move forward if you are waiting until everything is just perfect. You will never begin to make changes if you always compare your best to someone else’s best either.

I could say, “Bill Gates can spend $20,000 on flowers in front of his house, but I can only spend $200 on mine. Trump’s will be much better than mine, so why even start.” This sounds silly, but this is what happens far too often. Don’t let fear of failure or comparing your best with someone else’s best stop you from starting.

Have you been telling yourself or others, “I’m not quite ready to …?” If so, what is it? Stop procrastinating. Do your planning. You are ready. Do it now. Not tomorrow — do it now!