When I heard that message, it caused me to stop and think about my own life. I remembered earlier this year having the opportunity to take over the second floor of the office building we lease for my company. At the time, I really had no need for this extra space. I declined the offer even though I knew how quickly my company was growing.

Well, 6 months later, I am now looking for more office space! Just as I had felt, my company has grown and I have completely outgrown our current location! It's too late to take over the second floor. It's been rented to somebody else and they will be there for the next 5 years!

Often in my coaching sessions, I am asked about how to know when you are really ready to take the next step. In other words, is there really a "right" time to make your move, to take on a new challenge, to grow your business, to launch your new web site, or to propose marriage to your significant other?

Are there signs, or do you just get a "gut" feeling around about the time you need to take the next step. For many of us, we get those gut feelings, and often times, we'll simply rationalize them away. We'll tell ourselves how many other things have to be lined up first before we can take that next step in our lives.

For some people, they may never take that next step! Instead, they tell themselves again and again how "someday" they will have what they want; yet they do all they can to avoid moving even one step forward. Are you starting to see why so many talented people never become the successes they could be?

I believe that what Les Brown was saying is that if you have it in your mind that you are going to take the next step, don't wait for all things to be perfectly lined up, get out there and take that next step now!

When you stop to consider it, you and I are never really ready for the next step. We can always find reasons to put off taking the next step, or making the next move. We are experts at procrastination!

The reality is that opportunity will only pass you by once. I procrastinated. I wasn't totally "ready" to take on the second floor of my building. Now, that opportunity has come and gone and it will cost me much more to move my entire organization to a new location in order to keep up with our rapid expansion.

It's sometimes a little daunting to make a move without really knowing what to expect on the other side, but listen to this. All growth happens in the unknown!

It's not our place to know what's next. It is our place to stand up and be ready for that next step, wherever it may lead us. And, from what I have experienced in my life, it's exciting to see what happens!

It's interesting to note is that when you do make your move, things happen! For instance, had I moved into the second floor office, I would have seen an even faster increase in the size of my business. It's simply a matter of being brave, getting out of our comfort zones, and taking action on the things we already know will move us to where we want to be.

So, instead of fearing the unknown, be curious about it. Approach it with positive expectation and be ready to be surprised, thrilled, excited, and moved! After all, life is an adventure and adventures are most fun when we show up excited, right?

This is your life... and what you do with it is entirely up to you. Choose well.

�2001 by Robert Imbriale. All rights reserved.

Robert can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]