If you wait until all circumstances become ideal, you will shortchange yourself. There are several reasons for this. First of all, things are never perfect. You will always be able to identify some element which is lacking or needs improvement.

People who fail to take action explain they are waiting for the right time. Acting too hastily, they argue, would only doom their efforts to failure. The flaw in their supposition is the fact that one can always find some deficiency.

You may feel today is not ideal. Resist the temptation to wait. It’s too easy to keep pushing action off until tomorrow. Then, before you know it, the years fly by without any accomplishments.

Here is a better approach. Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are, and start now. This means you should begin moving forward from your current position today.

Where are you now? How much education do you have? What is your financial situation? How much free time do you have? Whatever your answers, you need to start right away. You can improve on any deficits as you move forward.

To acquire more knowledge, either learn it yourself or utilize the expertise of others. Improve your financial picture by increasing income, reducing expenses, or both. If you feel you don’t have enough free time, track how you use your discretionary time. Many people find they can fit more in by setting priorities.

Don’t idly wait around for ideal circumstances to materialize. Engage in the above actions while you are moving toward your goals. Those who utilize what they have at hand are on the route to success.

Imagine you are on a journey in a 30-foot sailboat. On board you have a finite amount of food, fuel, sails, and clothing. You also have nautical charts for any place you might want to go. However, you are not happy with some of your conditions.

You would really prefer to be on a larger boat. The food isn’t that great. There is not as much foul weather clothing as you would like. What do you do? Is waiting for conditions to improve before you continue your journey an option? Of course not. Nothing would change and you would run out of food. You must sail on to your next port.

What about bad weather? No one likes storms, but you can’t always avoid them. You have to venture on. If there is damage to your equipment, you need to make repairs and proceed onward. Once you arrive at a destination there will be plenty of options. You can make repairs, get new supplies, and perhaps even a bigger boat.

A sailor embodies the philosophy of always doing what you can, with what you have, wherever you are. On the sea, this principle isn’t an option. Rather, it means the difference between surviving and perishing. It’s not magic, just attitude and determination.

Although life doesn’t have the same daily risks as an ocean voyage, your success and happiness are just as dependent on working with what you have right now. As you do so, keep your aspirations in sight, as they will help keep you motivated.

As you move ahead, make improvements as needed. Working with what you have doesn’t mean you should stagnate. The purpose of taking action is to improve and ultimately arrive at all the destinations you desire.

Take inventory of all your personal assets and attributes, pick your direction, let out your sails, and get underway. Tomorrow you will be glad you started today.

“Dare to Live Without Limits” the book is now available. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail him at bryan@columnist.com