While browsing around one of the many boardwalk shops I saw a novelty item that really caught my eye and made me think a little. (enough to write this article). It was one of those little display pieces that you hang on the wall with a cute saying on it. The saying that caught my eye and made me think was…

“I hope my ship comes in before the dock rots.”

How many people do you know are waiting for their ship to come in? More importantly, what ships are you waiting for?

To some extent we are all “waiting” for the right time to do something. I don't care how “successful” you may be. I just think that people who get more accomplished in their lives are simply waiting for less ships, therefor the math works in the favor.  They've just figured out that if they wait too long the dock will rot because the truth is… No ship is coming!

I am not sure what the analogy should be… Do we spot our ship and then jump in the water and swim to it? Do we charter our own? Pick the one that fits you best. Either way the lesson is…

Go make something happen! Move toward your dreams and goals.

As a still relatively new parent I often catch myself dangerously saying to myself, “When the kids get older I will….” Of course there's some practicality to that thinking. Jamie and I can't just head off to the Bahamas by ourselves without first carefully considering who'd be in charge while we were gone. But when the girls are older, why not??

The danger for us parents is when we wait too long to pursue certain goals. What I have found is that when I go forward  and work on or do something that I thought would not be possible 'now' because of the girls is that things do work out and everyone benefits.

Yes, you are correct! Parents do have to wait a little for certain things. But when it comes to your dreams, your goals or anything  else just begin to move forward a little a time. It can be the most simple of things… Maybe you'd like to do martial arts or play a sport that you haven't played since you were a kid. Maybe you'd like to write that book that's inside of you. Make time for it and start a little a time. Other wise -  your dock just may rot!

Mike Dolpies (AKA- Mike D.) is the author of the forthcoming book Motion Before Motivation, The Success Secret That Never Fails. He spent 10 years as the owner and operator of a professional martial arts school. He now helps martial arts business owners achieve their own dreams and goals through his coaching. He has interacted with 1000’s of kids and parents over the years. He has helped his clients and their children achieve greater amounts of self-confidence, self-esteem, fitness and self-discipline. He is the publisher of “Raising Real Winners, The Audio Magazine of Successful Parenting.”  www.raisingrealwinners.com/nh You can learn more at www.askmiked.com