--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now is the time to get serious about…" description: "\"“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg" --- # Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals… ![“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The…” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg) > ““Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.”” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Act now on your ideals, avoid procrastination, and pursue personal excellence before it's too late. **In simple terms:** Live your ideals now, avoid delay. Key Takeaway Stop excuses, act on principles. Themes self‑improvement discipline purpose urgency Mood motivational urgent Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal goals - habit formation - spiritual practice Key Concepts Stoicism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What ideal have you postponed? - How will you measure progress? A Different Perspective Changing habits is hard and may meet resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Now Is The Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now-is-the-time/) [Procrastination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/procrastination/) [Separate Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separate-yourself/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Your Life Is Happening Right Now: Don't let procrastination take over your life. Be brave and take risks. Your life is happening right now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/your-life-is-happening-right-now-don-t-let-procrastination-take-over/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [“Don't let procrastination take over your life. Be brave and take risks. Your life is happening right now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/don-t-let-procrastination-take-over-your-life-be-brave-and-take-risks/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [When you don't feel healthy, stop the excuses and do something. Just go outside, walk, breathe. Life's too short to fall into a rut.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-stroup/when-you-don-t-feel-healthy-stop-the-excuses-and-do-something-just-go/) [Jessica Stroup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-stroup/) > [I usually alwyz used 2 campare ma previous dayz wth ma present 1 bt fo a while I said 2 ma self¦.wait wait wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxfabmohi/i-usually-alwyz-used-2-campare-ma-previous-dayz-wth-ma-present-1-bt/) [Maxfabmohi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxfabmohi/) > [I keep on wating for that one day for me to like my self but that is something that I will have to wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-may/i-keep-on-wating-for-that-one-day-for-me-to-like-my-self-but-that-is/) Selena May > [Stop with the excuses, it's really quite simple: we both hurt each other by our actions but we still care about each other a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-with-the-excuses-it-s-really-quite-simple-we-both-hurt-each/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/from-this-instant-on-vow-to-stop-disappointing-yourself-separate/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We usually learn to wait only when we have no longer anything to wait for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/we-usually-learn-to-wait-only-when-we-have-no-longer-anything-to-wait/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) > [You can have your cake and eat it too. Why wait any longer for the one you love, when hes standing in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/you-can-have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too-why-wait-any-longer-for-the-one/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Why wait any longer for the one you love When he’s standing in front of you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/why-wait-any-longer-for-the-one-you-love-when-he-s-standing-in-front/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I will die if I lose you, but I will die if I wait longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-racine/i-will-die-if-i-lose-you-but-i-will-die-if-i-wait-longer/) [Jean Racine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-racine/) > [If I'm not back in 5 minutes, just wait longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/if-i-m-not-back-in-5-minutes-just-wait-longer/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [A wine is ready when you can't bear to wait for it any longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-macneil/a-wine-is-ready-when-you-can-t-bear-to-wait-for-it-any-longer/) [Karen MacNeil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-macneil/) > [If I'm not back in five minutes ... just wait longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-i-m-not-back-in-five-minutes-just-wait-longer/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [I can wait for you longer. Because you have arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/i-can-wait-for-you-longer-because-you-have-arrived/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/) [Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/) > [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/) Deanna L. Lawlis > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) [Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-living-your-ideals-how-long-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Life" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-living-your-ideals-how-long-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/epictetus-413_life_now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-liv_734511.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really…” — Epictetus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Now is the time to get...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-living-your-ideals-how-long-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-living-your-ideals-how-long-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```