The last straw has been getting a bad rap for millennia. If the second-to-last straw had stayed on his diet, then the last straw would not have broken the camels back! But no, that jerk had to have just one more donut, and we remember the last straw as the culprit. Poor camel.
What is your last straw? What tips the scales and pushes you into action?
We group actions into known and unknown causes. We know the perennial action list; household chores, the laborious monthly report, finally starting the side hustle or continuing the fight for the next step of social justice.
The unknown are those causes that capture our attention following a sharp introduction. The father takes on schoolyard bullies after his son's abuse, the whistleblower lobbies for protections after her case was botched, or the college student demands market prices for the coffee farmers after a missions trip.
Outside forces shoved the "unknown" group of actors into action. They are dragged kicking and screaming into engagement. Circumstances were too compelling not to move forward.
Let's address those in the "known" group since this is the ground we tread most of our lives. These causes don't seem as compelling and can be justified waiting another day or week. "The timing doesn't feel quite right and besides I deserve this celebration, my birthday only comes around once a year. I will have the Philly cheese-steak today, and hit the gym tomorrow." Sadly, this thinking has delivered us to today with our actions left undone.
What has pushed you over the edge previously?
Is the boss re-enacting a scene from The Office and you are passed over for promotion again?
Magically all your clothes keep shrinking and the diabetes is getting out of hand?
Your brilliant idea is brought to market by someone else?
Now is the time to go on the offensive (thanks Gary Vee). The defensive position has only gotten us so far. The writing is on the wall; enough data has been gathered to encourage moving onward, and your gut has been screaming to move out.
Don't wait for the camel or the straw.
Be your own catalyst.
Now is the time!