“Do It While You Can”: My Mum’s Wisdom of Not Waiting

My mum has always shared simple truths wrapped in profound wisdom. Her favourite is just five words long:

Such phrases come easily from someone who’s seen life’s unpredictable tides firsthand. Our family knows loss intimately—often losing loved ones much sooner than anyone expected. Each sudden farewell left an enduring impact, reshaping my outlook on the brevity and unpredictability of life. This powerful lesson has profoundly influenced my approach to entrepreneurship, reminding me that, just as with life, opportunities in business must be seized before they unexpectedly vanish.

Yet, it’s startling how easily entrepreneurs ignore this essential truth.

The Entrepreneurial Trap of “Someday”

Entrepreneurship can feel like an endless sprint towards a horizon that never truly arrives—the big sale, the successful exit, the IPO. We relentlessly postpone happiness, relaxation, and reward until after reaching these distant milestones.

But what if that future never unfolds as planned?

When my mum says, “Do it while you can,” she’s offering entrepreneurs a reality check—one that many founders urgently need.

Waiting Isn’t Always Winning

Entrepreneurs pour their lives into their businesses, convinced the perfect exit is just around the corner. But here’s a startling truth:

Waiting too long can cost you everything.

The recent Dealsuite’s M&A Monitor (H2-2023) highlights an unsettling reality: market volatility, inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions can erode the value of a business if held too long. Ironically, founders often cling to their businesses, thinking they’re protecting their future, only to find their dreams slipping away with every passing year.

The Freedom Point: Timing Your Exit Strategically

According to the Exit Planning Institute, about 75% of business owners experience deep regret within just one year after selling their businesses—not because they cashed out too early, but because they waited far too long. They became too enmeshed, their identities too tightly bound to their businesses, and as a result, missed critical moments to capitalise on their success.

The ideal exit is not about hitting an arbitrary valuation or a perfect business milestone. It’s about recognising your “freedom point”—the moment when your personal goals and financial security intersect, allowing you to confidently let go and embrace the next chapter of your life.

Are You Deferring Your Life?

Entrepreneurs often share their dreams with me—travelling the world, dedicating more time to family, pursuing passion projects. Yet these dreams remain indefinitely postponed, locked behind vague notions of “someday.”

My mum’s philosophy challenges that dangerous mindset:

• What meaningful experiences are you delaying?

• Have you planned your exit strategically, or are you just dreaming?

• Are you risking your future happiness by waiting too long?

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The Urgency of Living Now

In business—as in life—the only certainty is uncertainty. The perfect buyer, the ideal valuation, the flawless market conditions—these might never arrive. My mum’s wisdom implores us to act decisively, strategically, and urgently.

Ask yourself today: What am I waiting too long to do?

Then follow my mum’s advice, and embrace this moment. Because whatever it is—building memories, securing your future, or enjoying the fruits of your entrepreneurial labour—“Do it while you can.”