In the article
Shogun:
A Lesson In Patience we looked at the power of patience.
While it's important to proceed cautiously, sometimes waiting
too long will kill an opportunity.
My junior
year in high school I was class president and in charge of planning
the prom. I took care of every detail except for one -- getting
my own date. I hesitated, thinking it was too early to ask the
person I wanted. (I didn't want to look overeager.) Before I knew
it, she already had a date. When the prom came around, there was
no one to take. Hours before the dance I learned a female friend
of mine wasn't going either so, by default, we went together.
It was far from what I had envisioned for my prom.
When you know
what you want, don't let fear, passivity or laziness (the three
biggest reasons for procrastinating) cause you to delay. Take
immediate action. I remember when I moved to New York I got an
amazing apartment because I was the first person to answer the
ad.
There's a
difference between acting impulsively and acting swiftly. When
you're impulsive, you act without thinking. Being swift means
you think, decide and act without hesitation.
There are
other people who want the same things you do. The sooner you take
action, the greater the chances of success.