Ever wanted to write a book? Record an album? Make your own movie? You now have no excuse.

There is no “I can't” anymore. No waiting for the right time. No asking permission. You're in charge. No one's one holding you back but you.

No more stalling. It's time. The tools are on your side.

Now, you can publish a book without having to knock on doors. You can start a podcast or launch a blog.

You can spread a message worth hearing to thousands of people for free. You can record an album on your laptop and raise money for it through crowd-funding, all in the comfort of your own home.

This is the age of no excuse.

I am the only one to blame

The other day, I had a disturbing phone call, followed by a challenging meeting. I walked away from both, having heard something I didn't want to hear, that my dreams were closer than I realized.

If I wanted to publish a book, I had people who would help me. If I wanted to share my writing with the world, I could. This left me feeling unsettled. Fear began to well up inside of me. Excuses filled my mind:

I'm not ready yet. I need a larger platform. If only I had more time.

The truth is I didn't have much content for a book. I hadn't been writing. I wasn't planning for this moment. I had only been dreaming.

I realized an important truth, one that sobered my thoughts: The only thing holding me back is me. Now, I have to do something. And I hate it. Because if this doesn't get done, I have no one to blame but me.

The fear you are beginning to feel

By now, you are starting to think of your own dream. Immediately, apprehensions and roadblocks come to mind. You start thinking of excuses, which turn into justifications for why you haven't begun.

Then, you start consoling yourself. It's okay. You don't need to try. There will be other opportunities. And you are completely full of crap.

Enough. Please. Stop passing the buck, and take responsibility. Admit that you have no excuse. Embrace this, and start moving forward. It could be the thing that saves you.

You may be years away from your dream. That's okay. But don't you dare spend another minute lying to yourself and others about what's holding you back:

• You are what stands in the way of your dream.
• You have no excuse to not begin today.
• You are afraid.

And that's fine. But it's time to grow up. It's time to get over it, whatever “it” is, and do something that matters. I hope this frustrates you enough to do something. I hope it puts a fire under your butt.

Because we don't need more dreaming; we need more action. We need your life to count for something, for you to create the art you were destined to make. And we need it now.

What's your excuse? Share in the comments.