Nike’s ingenious “Just Do It” slogan has been around since 1988. That’s about three quarters of my life.

Its origin story is kind of interesting because Dan Wieden coined the phrase after he was inspired by a death row inmate whose last words were “Let’s do it.”

The sometimes frighteningly detour-oriented train of thought that travels through my mind finds this fascinating. After all, no one understands life quite like the dying. I imagine if I were about to be executed, I would also want it over with.

So, yes, this has taken a rather morbid turn for so early in the day but I thought you would enjoy a quick factoid.

Just do it.

What a concise, powerful phrase. It can apply to so many things in life.

How many times a day do you procrastinate? Even people who think they don’t procrastinate usually avoid or put off a task at least once in a while. I try to be more proactive professionally but at home I will spend six months putting off a task that takes ten minutes.

What are you putting off?

Getting healthy?

Going back to school?

Going on a date or just making a new friend?

Finding a new job?

Starting a business?

Seeing the doctor about that weird mole?

Buying a home?

Running for office?

WHAT are you putting off? I can tell you that time waits for no one. Life is hard. Things are hard. Decisions are hard. Getting started is hard.

You know what else is hard? Being stuck in the same place today as you were a year ago. So is being in the same place six months from now as you are today.

You can’t wait until you feel better or until there’s more time. You can’t wait till the kids are grown or till the weather improves. You can’t wait until your heart mends. You can’t wait till there’s money or until you have all the answers.

Your ducks will never be in the row you need. The stars will never align exactly as you need them to.

Let’s be honest, on this crazy ride we call life, there’s never enough time. For some, that ride is nice and long and for others it’s cut short all too soon.

Time waits for no one. Just do it.

Do it anxious and sad. Do it poor. Do it scared and uncertain. Do it with tears in your eyes. Getting started is half the battle. From there, you can figure it out as you go.

Get busy living or get busy dying. That choice is yours but I recommend you embrace the life you have and don’t let it pass you by. Life is not a waiting room. It’s a grand adventure waiting just for you. Make it exactly what you want it to be.

Just do it.