Don’t Mistake Delay for Absence

One of my favorite quotes is this:

“Don’t mistake the delay of consequences with the absence of consequences.”

It’s powerful because it cuts both ways and reminds us that both the good and the bad choices we make eventually catch up with us.

We live in a world that craves instant results. If we don’t see immediate feedback, we tend to assume nothing is happening. But life doesn’t work that way.

Think about negative habits: skipping workouts, cutting corners at work, ignoring stress, or putting off that difficult conversation. The fallout doesn’t always show up immediately. But slowly, almost invisibly, those choices compound until they demand payment. And they also do.

Now consider the flip side: positive behaviors. Reading 10 minutes a day, networking consistently, showing up prepared, or practicing gratitude. None of these delivers instant transformation. But over time, they build an undeniable foundation for growth, resilience, and success.

The delay in consequences is deceptive. It can trick you into complacency. But the truth is, every choice you make, whether it’s toward discipline, distraction, or worse, creates a ripple. Eventually, those ripples become waves.

The question is: what kind of waves are you setting in motion?

When you remember that consequences are only delayed, never absent, you start to treat each small action as an investment. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says each action casts a vote for the type of person you want to be.

The Bottom Line

So don’t be fooled by the silence in the short term. Both your setbacks and your successes are catching up with you.

And when they do, you’ll want to be proud of how you voted.

Helping you Thrive,

Judy

Founder, Selby Strategies

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