This morning as I walked to my car I thought about checking my tires for a flat. Part of my brain told me that it got me home yesterday so they’re probably alright.

But I decided to check anyway.

They were fine.

However, if one hadn’t been, and I blew a tire on the highway on my way to work, the mental shame for ignoring my initial thought would have been torture.

I’ve written in the past about the importance of writing down your thoughts. Our memories tend to fail us when it comes to the random ideas that come to us. Along the same vein, I’ve learned how important it is to act upon certain thoughts as soon as possible.

We all get strange urges from time to time. To compliment a stranger, give a positive review of a restaurant that impressed you, or text a random check-in on a friend.

But how often do we put this urge aside? We acknowledge that it’s a good idea, yet we decide to do it when we get home, tomorrow, or sometime soon…

Inevitably, we don’t act. And our inaction causes any potential benefits to dissolve into nothingness.

The next time you feel the sudden urge to do something that will spread positivity, don’t hesitate.

Act.