IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and had lunch. Their conversation usually centered on all the things they were going to achieve. They both had many dreams and they loved to talk about them.
This particular Saturday when they met, WHEN sensed that IF was not in a great mood. As usual they sat at the table reserved for them and ordered their lunch. Once they placed their order, WHEN questioned IF. "IF what is wrong with you? You don't seem your usual cheery self?"
IF looked at WHEN and replied, "I'm not sure, I just don't feel like I am making any progress. This last week I saw a course I wanted to take if only I had the time to take it."
WHEN knew exactly how IF felt. "Yeah," replied WHEN, "I too saw a course and I am going to register when I get enough money together." WHEN then said, "well what about that new job you were going to apply for. You were so excited about it last week, did you apply?"
IF responded, "If my computer didn't break down last week, I would have applied. But, my computer is not working, so I could not type my resume."
"Don't worry about it IF, when you are ready another job will come through. I have been thinking about looking for another job also, but I will wait and when the weather gets nicer I will look then." WHEN then went on to tell IF about his week, hoping that it would cheer him up a bit.
The man at the next table couldn't help overhear WHEN and IF. They both were talking about when this and if that, finally he couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me gentlemen," the man said. IF and WHEN both looked at the man and wondered what he wanted. The man continued, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help hearing your conversation. I think I know how you could solve your problems."
IF smiled and thought, how could a complete stranger know how to solve all of their problems. If only he knew. When he realized the challenges they faced there was no way he could solve their problems! Curious, IF asked the gentleman, "How do you think you can solve our problems?"
The gentleman smiled and said, "You only need listen to yourselves. It reminds me of an old proverb:
'If and When were planted, and Nothing grew'."
IF and WHEN looked puzzled. The gentleman smiled and said, "Start counting how many times you use the words 'if' and 'when'. Rather than thinking 'if and when', start doing, take action, stop talking about 'if and when'."
IF and WHEN both looked surprised, and suddenly realized that what the gentleman had said was so true. Both of them were guilty of thinking, acting and living their life for the "ifs and whens". The gentleman left and IF and WHEN's conversation changed. They made a pact that when they met for lunch next week, there would be no "ifs and whens"; they would only talk about what they accomplished!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Words of Wisdom 4 U, http://www.wow4u.com. You will find a collection of motivational thoughts, stories, quotes, poems, smiles, proverbs, and more at Words of Wisdom 4 U!
best cleaning company Highland Park ..He was pencil thin and walked with a limp. A... Read More
Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More
It's really all we have... the "Moment". Think about it,... Read More
Each and every day, there are people all around the... Read More
Does it surprise you that only 400 cokes were sold... Read More
It was one of the worst periods of time in... Read More
Do you sometimes feel that you're living a boring life?... Read More
Create an environment that is so inspiring and nurturing that... Read More
e-Learning is doubling yearly. Classes, e-courses, e-books on how-to and... Read More
What if I told you that you could be more... Read More
The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More
The TRUE BMI of SUCCESS (B)e a (M)illionaire (I)ndexWhy am... Read More
Over the years many people have offered their models of... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
You talked but didn't get a response. You talked but... Read More
'No man is an island' the saying goes. The implication... Read More
Language constitutes our belief system. What we believe is true... Read More
Deep down, where it counts, many people do not believe... Read More
Cost is sometimes a difficult term to define. Here, we... Read More
One of the common elements you see in almost all... Read More
Let me ask you a question? What must happen for... Read More
J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More
1. They are hard working. There is no such thing... Read More
If that sounds like you, you're not alone. Everyone needs... Read More
Self-sabotage is one key factor that keeps our business from... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Think out of the box, they say. But what's a... Read More
Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More
What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More
People have a tremendous capacity for outstanding achievement. There are... Read More
People say: "One can't help one's thoughts." But one can.... Read More
When traveling down the road it is always good to... Read More
'No man is an island' the saying goes. The implication... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More
Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to... Read More
Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More
Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete... Read More
(excerpted from the Day That Turns Your Life Around)After having... Read More
Have you ever had this feeling? You're standing in front... Read More
One of the hallmarks of all successful and high achieving... Read More
Identity theft!We've all seen them. The commercials use the voices... Read More
Hello again! I have some more useful tips you can... Read More
According to Bill Gates there are 3 keys to success... Read More
When you are in business every person you hire gets... Read More
I thought this was unbelievable, but it's true.On average, security... Read More
Please repeat these four words out loud: "Maximum Impact....Minimal Touch"... Read More
How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More
Mike, his feet dangling above the city, opened his lunch... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
The ability to achieve our enormous untapped potential is directly... Read More
Success |