The Trip I Cancelled That Changed Everything
A friend and I once planned a trip to Las Vegas. We cancelled it, deciding that since we had both just started work, it would be more sensible to wait a year and save more money.
It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life.
The year was 1977. We were going to Las Vegas to see Elvis Presley in concert. Six weeks later, he was dead. That single decision changed my life forever.
From that moment on, if I wanted to do something, I found a way to do it. No more I’ll think about it, I don’t have time just now, or maybe tomorrow. My philosophy became simple: What is the first action I can take right now, this very moment, to put the wheels in motion?
I often see hesitation play out when people join Wealthy Affiliate to build an online business. They arrive motivated, then realise there’s a process to follow before money starts flowing. That process requires learning, commitment, and action.
That’s often when the brain goes into overdrive. Not to solve the problem, but to create reasons to stop. I know this pattern well. When I tell clients it’s possible to go from zero to millionaire in five years, they don’t focus on what can be done today. They focus on the five years.
- That’s a long time.
- That’s a lot of work.
- I don’t have the time.
So instead of taking the first small step, they build barriers. Fear disguises itself as logic. And “maybe one day” quietly replaces action often with the unspoken hope that luck or a lottery win will do the work for them.
Five years later they are still in the same situation - wishful thinking.
Elvis’s death taught me something that no book or course ever could: there is no later that’s guaranteed. All progress, in business and in life, only ever happens in the present moment.
If something doesn’t work, so what? You’ve learned. You adjust. You move on.
If it does work, you’ve created momentum and momentum has a habit of opening doors you couldn’t see when you were standing still.
The real cost isn’t failure. The real cost is waiting for a “better time” that never comes.
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That’s a powerful reflection. The Elvis story really underlines how fragile “later” can be, and how easy it is to postpone life and progress without realizing the cost. I like how you connect that moment to taking action in the present, both in life and in business. Momentum really does start with one small step, taken now. Thanks for sharing this perspective.
I like that you mention momentum that is exactly what I need to keep building at the moment, as I'm sure others will too. Sucks about not getting to see Elvis but valuable lesson I'm sure. I never worry too much about money when I travel just kind of worry about it as I go along.
There’s is no later, so true! 5 yrs seems like a long time but it isn’t. It’s better to take action NOW!
This is a great mindset to have. You are right - 'there is no later that’s guaranteed',
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Hi Karen!
A very simple but powerful message. Never put off what can be done today for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes, all we have is the present moment.
Presently, I am reading a book - The Power of Now. This book makes this message crystal clear. All we have and will ever have is the present moment. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not premised.
If you have something to do, do it now! I appreciate your post. Thanks for sharing so that we can stop our minds from controlling us and preventing us from doing what we should do in the present moment.
Congrats on being one of the 7 WA Member Wins for January. Wishing you the very best!
Kind regards,
Nichola