Have you ever looked up and thought, Wait, where did all the time go? How did we get here so fast? One minute you’re planning, dreaming, writing to-do lists like your life depends on it, and the next, you’re wondering where all that time went.
Recently, I came across a quote that said, “Time is all that we have and don’t have.” And for the first time, it really made sense. Because even though I had a clear picture of what I wanted to achieve this year, somehow I still feel caught between “I’ve still got time” and “I’ve wasted too much of it.”
If you’re anything like me, you might be feeling the same. Maybe you’re proud of some progress, but also a bit guilty about the procrastination. Maybe you’re somewhere between “motivated” and “meh.” Either way, let me just say, you’re not alone.
Let’s start with this simple truth: you’re still here. You’re still trying. And that, my dear, counts for something.
On Motivation: It’s Not Always Magical
Now, before you roll your eyes, yes, I am trying to motivate you, but not in the typical “rise and grind” way. This one’s real.
Here’s the truth: Nobody has it all figured out. Even the most successful people you know have lost motivation. They’ve had bad days, weeks, maybe even months. The difference? They kept showing up, even when they didn’t feel like it.
And that’s where you and I sometimes fall short. We give up the moment motivation dries up. We assume that if we don’t feel like doing it, we shouldn’t bother. But let’s be honest, how far has that thinking gotten us?
Motivation is great, but it’s not reliable. Discipline is. Effort is. Showing up even when you’d rather hide under the covers? That’s the stuff dreams are built on.
On Mastery: Effort Over Excuses
Have you ever watched someone do something hard and make it look so easy? Speaking, dancing, designing, selling, writing—whatever it is. It looks like magic. But it’s not. It’s mastery, and it comes from doing the same thing over and over until it becomes second nature.
We all want the results, but we shy away from the work. We scroll through social media, compare our journeys, and wish we had their success. But wishing alone doesn’t get you there. Some people would even wish their way into envy. “If only I could do it like her…” Well, you can, but you’ve got to work for it like she did. The people you admire didn’t just wish, they worked. They got better by doing. Not dreaming.
If you can wish for it, then you can work for it.
It’s not always going to feel good. Some days will feel like progress. Others will feel like punishment. But every bit of effort adds up. So don’t just dream it. Do it. Even if it’s messy, even if it’s slow, keep going.
On Progress: It’s Okay to Pause, But Don’t Quit
Yes, being alive is an accomplishment. Let’s acknowledge that. But don’t stop there. Don’t let survival make you forget your power to thrive.
Even with all the chaos in the world, people are still reaching goals and changing their lives. Why not you? Know when to rest—but don’t let rest become surrender.
Take a break when you need to. Breathe. Cry. Sleep. Laugh. But then… get up. Move again. Try again. You deserve a better life. And if it’s not handed to you, you’ve got every right to go get it yourself.
If You’re Still Here, You’re Still in the Game
Let this post be your gentle nudge, not a harsh reminder.
You may not have hit all your goals (yet). You may feel like time is racing ahead without you. But your story isn’t over. There’s still time to rewrite the chapters ahead, and you don’t need permission to start again.
Not because it’s a new month. Not because the calendar says you should. But because you say so.
So, here’s your green light. Keep going. Even slowly. Especially slowly. Because slow progress is still progress, and the time will pass anyway.
And if you’re wondering whether your effort matters, the answer is: absolutely.
So, here’s your gentle reminder:
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You are not your past pace. You are your next step.
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You can restart a hundred times. The world won’t end.
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Even if you haven’t ticked a single goal yet, you still have time.
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You don’t need a miracle. You just need momentum.
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With love,
Opeyemi
