The Futility of Wishing

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Let’s get clear on a few terms: wishing, wanting, hoping and desiring, planning and intending.

They are all thoughts.

Thoughts in your head that create emotions in your body.

These emotions either create in-action or action (read on and I bet you can guess which group produces which… ).

***

Wishing is a thought that something, perhaps something in particular, would be nice.

Wanting is a thought that something would be nice, or is missing, and if given the chance or choice, one would take it.

Hoping is a (usually wistful) thought that reoccurs about something wanted; a sort of “if only… ”

***

Desire is a clear preference for something.

Planning is a sustained and disciplined pattern of thinking that creates the means to bring something into one’s life.

Intention is the psychic fuel that allows one to bridge the gaps between desire and planning and achievement.

***

So, don’t waste your energy on wishing, wanting or hoping.

Focus your energy on what you desire, the plan required to make it real and the intention required to start, continue and finish.

Similar Posts

  • It’s Who You Get To Be

    Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory. – Mahatma Gandhi This reminds me of John Wooden’s teaching that it doesn’t matter if you win, if you don’t play your best, and it’s okay to lose if you do. The great privilege, and reward, is the competition, and who it…

  • The Power of Curiosity

    I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. – Albert Einstein So many people associate curiosity with research or innovation, but it has a (wonderful) personal application: How can you be curious about yourself, who you are, what you want and how you can get it? When you use curiosity in this way,…

  • Ambition is Neutral

    Ambition is at the very core of success and extraordinary achievement. Unlike greed, it’s a powerful, creative and constructive force. – Jim Rohn Some people view ambition in a negative light. They’ve seen people who are corrupt, unkind, or even criminal, who were “ambitious.” But that’s not what ambition is about. There are plenty of…

  • There’s Always Work To Do

    I watched a video this morning that triggered me. It was one of those I-just-have-a-minute-here-on-vacation videos shot by some self-help-ey kinda people and as far as it went it was okay, I guess. The person was talking about how important it is to shift from “lack” thinking to “abundance” thinking – an attitude of gratitude and…