IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and had lunch. Their conversation usually centered on all the things they were going to achieve. They both had many dreams and they loved to talk about them.

This particular Saturday when they met, WHEN sensed that IF was not in a great mood.

WHEN – IF, what is wrong with you? You don’t seem your usual cheery self?”

IF – I’m not sure, I just don’t feel like I am making any progress. This last week I found an online course I have been searching for.

Unfortunately, I have no time. If only I had the time……”

WHEN knew exactly how IF felt.

WHEN – “Yeah! I too found a great course online. I am going to register when I get enough money together. Well what about that new job you were going to apply for. You were so excited about it last week, did you apply?”

IF – If my computer hadn’t broken down last week, I would have applied. But, my computer is not working, so I could not update my resume.

WHEN – Don’t worry about it IF, when you are ready another job will come through. I have been thinking about looking for another job also, but I will wait and when the weather gets nicer I will look then.

WHEN then went on to tell IF about his week, hoping that it would cheer him up a bit.

The man at the next table couldn’t help overhear WHEN and IF. Both the friends were talking about when this and if that. Finally he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Excuse me gentlemen,” the man said. IF and WHEN both looked at this man and wondered what he wanted.

The man continued, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. I think I know how you could solve your problems.”

IF smiled and thought, how could a complete stranger know how to solve all of their problems. If only he knew about how difficult their life is. When he would realize the challenges IF and WHEN face, there was no way he could solve their problems!

Curious, IF asked the gentleman, “How do you think you can solve our problems?”

The gentleman smiled and said, “You only need to listen to yourselves. It reminds me of an old proverb:

‘If and When were planted, and Nothing grew’.”

IF and WHEN looked puzzled. The gentleman smiled and said, “Start counting how many times you use the words ‘if’ and ‘when’. Start doing, start taking action, and stop talking about ‘if and when’.”

IF and WHEN both looked surprised. They realized what the gentleman had said was so true. Both of them were guilty of thinking, acting and living their life in the shadow of “ifs and whens”.

The gentleman left and IF and WHEN’s conversation with each other, changed. They made a pact. When they met for lunch next week, there would be no mention of “ifs and whens”.

They would only talk about what has been DONE!

Do you find yourself in the trap of ‘IF and WHEN’?