Many people are waiting for the ?right time? to quit their job and start a business, have their first baby, take that month off and travel to Europe, or go back to college. The problem is life doesn't stop and wait until we have enough money, or until all our projects are caught up. If we fall into the ?some day? trap we risk living a second rate life and leaving this world having never experienced the joy we might have known.

It makes sense to be prepared before taking a big step like getting married, buying into a franchise business, or hiking the Appalachian Trail. But there can be a fine line between preparation and procrastination.

The truth is, all ideal circumstances will probably never line up at the same time. We will never find ourselves in that perfect situation where all of our ducks are in a perfect row, all traffic lights are on green, and all the stars in heaven are aligned in our favor.

Life just doesn't work like that. It never has, and our thinking is seriously flawed when we expect circumstances and the world around us to conform to our ideal vision before we allow ourselves to enjoy the things that truly inspire us.

True living is about experiencing many things, not charting the perfect course and executing our game plan with flawless accuracy. As Helmuth von Moltke pointed out:

?No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy.?

Consider this: The fact that things might not work out as planned is actually part of the thrill.

If you want a flawless, risk-free trip across the European countryside, I recommend you subscribe to the Travel Channel. Odds are anyone who has taken a road trip from Portugal to Poland will tell you the best parts of the journey were the events that came up unexpectedly!

And how many parents do you know who waited until they had enough money in the bank to fund the first 18 years plus college before welcoming their baby into the world? Probably none, but do any of them wish they could give back the many years of love and joy their children have brought them?

Most wealthy entrepreneurs have the best stories from their early years. Some lived on canned beans and rice before they made their first big break. Others were laughed at by bankers, prospects, even their own families before hitting it big and becoming the richest people in their industries.

The time between our birth and the death of our bodies is a great journey, not a series of destinations. And what a gift this journey is!

Miyamoto Musashi, perhaps the greatest swordsman to ever live in Japan, is quoted as saying:

?To die with one's short sword in its sheath would be most regrettable.?

While Musashi was giving practical advice on surviving a battle, I find another message in his words. Namely, that it makes no sense to live life without bringing our full capabilities to bear.

Don't let the ?some day? mentality keep you from experiencing the successes ? or the failures ? you truly deserve. Right now is the time for living your dreams.