Thought to have originated from a saying by Hillel the Elder, a Jewish rabbi who lived in the first century BC, the original saying is: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am ‘I’? And if not now, when?”
It’s a great reminder that in business (as in life), there is rarely a perfect time to take action. And why is ‘taking action’ so important? Well, it’s what moves us away from where we are today. Without action, ideas stay as, well, ideas. And it’s not the best ideas that drive success, it’s taking action.
Of course, there is always the risk that taking action now could lead to failure. However, the potential rewards of taking action often outweigh the risks. By taking action now, businesses can position themselves for success in the future.
Here are some specific examples of how the phrase “if not now, when?” might look in your business:
- Launching a new product: If you have a great idea for a new product, don’t wait for the perfect time to launch it. The market is constantly changing, and if you wait too long, your product may become obsolete.
- Expanding into new markets: If you’re already successful in your current market, don’t be afraid to expand into new markets. This could be a great way to grow your business and reach new customers.
- Hiring that new person into your team: This is one I often hear people debating themselves away from. Do you hire the person first, or do you create the demand for their role first? Find the balance, but remember, good people make good things happen, so if you want to scale, get your people in place.
- Investing in new technologies: If there’s a new technology that could revolutionise your business, don’t wait to invest in it. The sooner you adopt new technologies, the sooner you’ll be able to reap the benefits.
So don’t wait for the perfect time to take action. Make good decisions, take the necessary steps, and consistently move your business forwards.
