When?

I woke up this morning with this question emblazoned in my mind.

When?

Perhaps it is because I feel like there are a number of projects I’m not making progress on, perhaps it is because I feel that recently I’ve not been leading my team as effectively as I could be, perhaps it is because I was supposed to sit down and write this post.

“When?” is an important question for us as leaders.  It imposes the thought of urgency, or implementation, or execution.  Depending on the inflection in the voice of the asker it might even imply impatience.

First, some personal “When?” questions for you to consider today.

When . . . will I get serious about changing my habits?

When . . . will I work on the major goals that lay dormant?

When . . .will I make the time to read, learn and think about the future of my team and organization?

When . . . will I work on the important things on my list and in my mind, (not just the urgent fires that show up each day)?

When  . . . will I live the values I say I believe in?

Now, some more, from a leadership perspective.

When  . . . will I give more encouragement and support to my team?

When . . . will I help other focus on their most important goals?

When . . . will I stop and really listen?

When . . . will I show my belief in those I lead?

When  . . . will I lead by example in the most important ways?

When  . . . will I show my enthusiasm?

Not all of these questions may resonate with you, I hope that some do, and I hope these brief lists have led you to pose the most important “When?” questions to yourself.

Take a few minutes now before you rush on to the next task, read the next blog post or email, or head to your next meeting, and think about your most important “When?” questions.   Make a list of them.

The answer to some of them will be a simple (but perhaps not easy) decision to say “Now!”  To others, time might be required to plan strategize and take action.  For those, put time in your calendar now to work on those answers.

You see the perfect answer to the big “when?” questions is “Now!”

Because if not now, when?

Answering these questions make you a leader.   Now is the time to lead yourself and others.  After all, if not now, when?