The Power of Now: Why Action Beats Intention Every Time

"Too often we postpone things we deeply desire, not because they’re impossible, but because they feel too big, too uncertain, or too far away." – Renwick

How many dreams have we put on hold, waiting for the perfect moment? How many times have we told ourselves:

“I’ll start next week.”

“When things settle down, I’ll focus on it.”

“When I have more money, more time, more clarity—then I’ll begin.”

Photo Courtesy of Wix Media

But as a colleague and I acknowledged in a recent conversation, the reality is: The perfect moment never comes. It’s not the external circumstances stopping us. It’s us.

The Waiting Game – Why We Delay

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." – Zig Ziglar

My friend's realization was one we all face:

She said, “There are things that have been on my to-do list for years. Why am I not taking action? Why do I keep waiting?”

I echoed the same struggle:

“I have folders full of exercises from therapists over the years. The real challenge isn’t knowing what to do—it’s actually doing it.”

This is the heart of human nature—we delay action because of:

Fear of failure – What if it doesn’t work out?

Perfectionism – It’s not ready yet.

Overwhelm – The task feels too big to tackle.

The problem? Time doesn’t wait.

A friend once told me, "Every business I’ve ever started took longer than expected and cost more than planned. But if you never start, you never finish.” 

This aligns with Seth Godin’s “Ship It” philosophy—success doesn’t come from endless planning. It comes from putting your work out there, ready or not.

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." – Arthur Ashe

I shared a breakthrough.

After mutiple calls, meetings, emails and text messages, a client I’ve worked with for 25 years suddenly reached out and said, "Now’s the time. Let’s do this.”

What changed?

The opportunity was always there but only when action was taken did it materialize. Momentum breeds momentum. The smallest step forward creates energy for the next.

My friend had a similar shift:

“For three weeks, I’ve been finishing tasks that have been draining my energy for years. And suddenly, I feel different. Lighter. Focused.”

This is what James Clear describes in Atomic Habits—small, consistent actions lead to massive change. Want to write a book? Start with one sentence a day. Want to get in shape? Start with a five-minute walk. Want to improve finances? Start by tracking your spending.

The key isn’t huge leaps. It's tiny, consistent steps.

The Mental Roadblocks We Create (and How to Break Them)

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." – Joseph Campbell

Perhaps the most powerful revelation from our conversation was,

“We manufacture excuses. We tell ourselves stories about why we can’t do something, when in reality, we’re just afraid to commit.”

It’s not because we need more time, money, or resources. It's because we need to make a decision. Why do we delay?

Fear of rejection? Action builds resilience.

Fear of failure? Every mistake is a lesson.

Fear of imperfection? Progress matters more than perfection.

As Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist:

“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you always wanted. Do it now.”

The Power of Now

My friend's journey from ‘someday’ to today is a powerful reminder of it all. The point is, you feel better about yourself and avoid regret when you do what matters to you, now!" 

The conversation was more than a talk, it was a challenge.

What are you postponing?

What “someday” goal do you keep pushing into the future?

What is stopping you from starting?

Because if not now, when? And if not you… who?

Renwick Brutus is the strategist behind some of today’s most irresistible and financially invincible professionals. As the founder of Achievement Resources and Prism Wealth Management, he combines 25+ years of advising executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations with a rare blend of business acumen and human insight. Whether you’re ready to elevate your strategy, impact or income, Renwick delivers with clarity the strategy and tools to help you succeed. Discover and share his books—“Irresistible Communication: Improving Trust, Relationships and Results,” “The Achiever’s Pocket Guide to Effective Networking,” and “5 Reasons Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough”—and start transforming potential into high-performance and exceptional outcomes. Visit www.renwick.rocks or www.achievementresources.com to begin your journey to clarity, confidence, and wealth—personally and professionally. Join the movement on social media and step into a life by design—not default. You may also reach Renwick here.