Have you ever worked out with weighted arm- or leg-bands?

That’s how I feel sometimes, but with life in general, not with working out in particular. And it’s intentional.

There are things I want to do, which I will do, but I’m holding back, for now. Biding my time. Waiting for the right moment.

Conventional unconventional thinking (what you’ll read on blogs and in inspirational books) says that I should drop everything and plow forward recklessly. Don’t think, feel. Don’t wait, jump.

I’ve given this same advice. In a lot of cases, and for a lot of people, it’s the best tip you can give. If you’re afraid to fail or try new things or scared of change, not giving your doubts a chance to catch up with your ambition is smart, and could very well change your life dramatically (and hopefully for the better).

But I’m not afraid to fail. I like trying new things. I thrive on change. For me what’s difficult is pacing myself. Regulating. Holding back.

And that’s what I’m doing right now. People ask me what I’m up to and I’ll list off a string of current projects and goals, but I’ve got more. A whole lot more, actually. Some that would be just for kicks and some that could be game-changers. I want to pursue them all, and with gusto.

And I intend to, just not right at this moment.

Life is short and you have to be ambitious if you want to fit everything into those hundred-or-so years. But if you keep your eyes tunnel-focused on that next goal, you won’t be able to enjoy the rewards of the last goal you reached, and the one before that. And the things you’re doing right now.

Life is just one victory horizon after another, and it’s important to slow down sometimes to enjoy the view.

Update: February 8, 2017

Victory Horizon would be a good band name.

I still feel this way about a lot of things, though not all are business concepts. I waited to learn to cook for ages because it never felt like the right time: I had other things I was focusing on, and I wanted to be able to throw myself into cooking when I finally got around to it.

That proved to be a good choice. Having cooked every meal for the last six months, I feel like I probably wouldn’t have grown in that department as quickly if I hadn’t forced myself to learn and iterate in this manner. I would have been sidetracked, for certain.