“Don’t leave anything for later. Later, the coffee gets cold. Later, you lose interest. Later, the day turns into night. Later, people grow up. Later, people grow old. Later, life goes by. Later, you regret not doing something… when you had the chance.” - Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Time is the most precious resource we have, yet it’s something we often take for granted. We push things off, thinking we’ll have time to come back to them later. Whether it’s a dream we’ve been nurturing, a relationship we’ve been meaning to invest in, or a simple joy we’ve been postponing, there’s always this notion of “later.” But, as Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s quote so wisely points out, “later” is a dangerous illusion. Before we know it, the coffee grows cold, the day slips into night, and time passes us by.
The real challenge is to recognize that life is happening now—not tomorrow, not when we feel “ready,” but in this very moment. The opportunities, connections, and joys we leave for later may not be there when we finally get around to them. In this blog, we’ll explore why delaying the things that matter often leads to regret and how embracing the present can transform the way we live.
Why We Wait for Later
Many of us are guilty of putting things off for later. We convince ourselves that we’ll have more time, more energy, or more motivation at some indeterminate point in the future. Whether it’s starting a new project, making that call to a loved one, or pursuing a passion, we keep waiting for the “perfect” moment. But here’s the thing: there’s no such thing as a perfect moment. Life is messy, unpredictable, and often inconvenient.
Several factors contribute to why we wait for later:
1. Fear of Failure: One of the most common reasons we delay action is fear. We’re afraid that if we start something now, it won’t go the way we want. We fear making mistakes, so we avoid starting altogether. By waiting for later, we create a buffer, hoping that somehow, the future will make things easier.
2. Procrastination: Procrastination is an age-old habit. We put off tasks or decisions because they feel overwhelming, or because we simply don’t feel like doing them at the moment. But the longer we delay, the more difficult they become to tackle.
3. Busy Schedules: In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often juggling countless responsibilities. It’s easy to say, “I’ll get to that later” when life feels too busy. But time has a way of slipping by, and before we know it, what was once a priority fades into the background.
4. Complacency: Sometimes, we’re simply comfortable where we are. We tell ourselves that things are “good enough” and that we’ll pursue our bigger dreams or deeper desires later. But settling for complacency can leave us feeling stagnant, as we miss the opportunity to grow, learn, and experience life fully.
Later Turns into Never
Kawaguchi’s quote captures a universal truth: the things we leave for later often fade into never. How many times have we thought about reaching out to someone, only to let the days slip by until the opportunity is gone? How often do we set aside our personal goals, thinking we’ll get to them someday, but someday never comes?
1. The Coffee Gets Cold: This metaphor symbolizes how the simple joys in life—like a good conversation or a shared moment—lose their warmth when we leave them for later. That cup of coffee with a friend that you keep putting off might eventually be missed altogether as life takes you both in different directions. The warmth of connection cools when neglected.
2. People Grow Up and Grow Old: We often assume that the people in our lives will always be there when we’re ready to reconnect, but time doesn’t wait for us. Children grow up, friends move away, and loved ones age. The chance to create memories or to spend time with someone today may not be there tomorrow.
3. You Lose Interest: Dreams and passions have a way of fading when left unattended. That project you were excited about a year ago might feel less urgent now because you’ve delayed it for too long. By waiting for later, we sometimes lose the spark that drove us to pursue something in the first place.
4. Life Goes By: The most profound reminder in Kawaguchi’s quote is that life doesn’t pause. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before we know it, years have passed. If we keep waiting for later, we might look back and realize that life has slipped by, and we didn’t seize the moments that mattered.
The Weight of Regret
One of the heaviest burdens we can carry is regret. And often, it’s not the things we did that we regret—it’s the things we didn’t do. The opportunities we missed, the words we didn’t say, the dreams we didn’t chase. Regret has a way of creeping in when we realize that we’ve let precious moments pass us by.
We regret not calling that friend or family member more often. We regret not pursuing our passion project when we had the chance. We regret not living fully because we were always waiting for the perfect time to start. And by the time we realize it, it’s often too late.
The antidote to regret is action. It’s about recognizing that life is fleeting and choosing to live with intention in the here and now. By letting go of the notion of “later” and embracing the present moment, we can live a life that’s full of meaning, connection, and joy.
How to Stop Waiting for Later
So, how do we break the habit of waiting for later and start living fully in the moment? Here are a few ways to shift your mindset:
1. Do It Now: When something crosses your mind—whether it’s reaching out to someone, starting a new project, or taking a walk outside—act on it now. Don’t wait for the “right” time, because the right time is now.
2. Prioritize What Matters: Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. Is it spending more time with family? Pursuing a creative passion? Improving your health? Once you know what’s important, make it a priority in your life. Schedule time for it today, not tomorrow.
3. Embrace Imperfection: One of the reasons we wait for later is that we want everything to be perfect. But perfection is an illusion. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan, embrace imperfection and take action anyway. You’ll find that progress, even if it’s messy, is better than waiting indefinitely.
4. Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment helps you appreciate life as it unfolds. Instead of constantly thinking about the future or putting things off, mindfulness encourages you to savor the present and take action with intention.
5. Let Go of Fear: Fear is often at the root of procrastination. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of the unknown, these worries can paralyze us. Acknowledge your fears, but don’t let them hold you back. Taking small steps, even in the face of fear, is how we move forward.
Final Thoughts
Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s quote is a powerful reminder to live with urgency and intention. Life doesn’t wait for us to be ready—it happens now. The moments we leave for later may never come, and the opportunities we postpone may fade away before we have the chance to act.
Instead of waiting for later, choose to embrace the present. Drink the coffee while it’s hot. Spend time with loved ones before they’ve grown up or grown old. Pursue your dreams before they lose their spark. Life is happening now, and the only way to live without regret is to seize the moments that matter while you have the chance.
Don’t wait for later. Take action now, live fully, and embrace the moments that matter. Because the coffee will get cold, and life will pass you by if you let it.
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