On trying; the antidote to inaction

Yesterday I applied (my second time) for a job as a substitute teacher for my county’s school division.

Yesterday was also the two year anniversary of me graduating college with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

I originally started the application process around the time of graduation, but I didn’t go through with it because I wasn’t 100% sure it was for me. So instead of completing the application the very same week I graduated, it’s taken me two years and two dead-end jobs to make the decision that I’d like to try my hand at teaching.

Thing is, two years ago I was just as certain/uncertain that I’d like to be a teacher/be a good teacher as I am now.

I realize now that waiting longer than a week or two to make a decision about your future is a waste of time. Waiting longer won’t make you any more certain you’re making the best decision for your future. And it certainly won’t make you any more likely to succeed at a chosen path.

Sure, it’s ok to sleep on it—that’s probably a good idea. But waiting for weeks or years is a waste of potential.

A better alternative: Try. Take a risk. Put in the hard work, make mistakes and learn from them, and wait. Wait until you know for certain this is (or isn’t) for you.

Don’t say, “I can’t do this.” That’s just laziness.

Tell yourself, “I can try this out. Only then will I know if I can be good at this, only then will I know if I enjoy doing this.”

You’ll know in your heart whether or not you’ve made the best decision. And if you haven’t, at least you’ll know for certain. After all, a false start is better than standing still.