Do The Thing Now - Not Later

One of the most enduring and inspiring figures in all of Roman history is Cincinnatus. Called to save Rome in 458 BC from the Aequians and the Sabines, he is made temporary dictator and granted extraordinary war time powers. Yet after he leads the army to a victory and saves his country, he seeks not to return to rule Rome but to tend to his farm. It is said that this example partly inspired George Washington not to actively seek executive power after the Revolutionary War, and then after becoming president, to leave after two terms. It is also, of course, the plot of Maximus’s character in the movie Gladiator.

And yes, while Cincinnatus’s story is a stunning display of self-discipline and self-awareness, it is equally true that many of us foolishly live out a much more self-indulgent and delusional version of this story. We tell ourselves that we’re getting a job on Wall Street, but that it’s only temporary. After I make my fortune, then I’ll become a third grade teacher or do philanthropic work. We sign on for this project or that one, not because we think it’s good, but because we tell ourselves it will give us the freedom we seek down the road. One for me, one for them. Or we enroll in law school or go for that MBA because we think it will give us more options. I’m never going to be a lawyer, but a law degree can’t hurt.

It’s remarkable how few people actually end up on their metaphorical farm though, isn’t it? We take the dictatorial powers—the money, the prestige, the couple extra years of school—but when it comes time to do what we told ourselves we were always going to do...that never happens. It’s like what David “DHH” Heinemeier Hansson has said: People go to Silicon Valley to earn “fuck you money” and then nobody ends up saying “Fuck you!”

Rome needed Cincinnatus. It was a life and death situation. For most of us? Not so much. And life is short. So if you want to be a writer, start writing (don’t tell yourself you have to finish something else first). If you want to help people, start helping people (don’t tell yourself you have to get rich first). If you want to be this or that, well, start—don’t chase another degree.

Because you never know if you’ll get another chance.