Stop wishing for it and start working for it!

Where are you investing your energy?

‘It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.’ - Eleanor Roosevelt

In today's world, we are told to dream big, aim for the stars and that anything is possible.

And whilst we do have incredible possibilities available to us...

Simply wanting something is not enough.

Having goals and ambitions is important, it keeps us focused, excited and ready to keep working hard towards something we want, but there’s more to wanting and wishing.

It takes intentional work, dedication, and perseverance to achieve any type of ‘success’.

That ‘luck’ you see someone having, is likely not luck at all. But a combination of the above.

If you want something, you have to be willing to put in the effort to make it happen. Because if you don’t life happens anyway and the things you want can go unrealised.

It’s time to decide and commit to it.

Or better yet, stop wishing for it and start working for it!

Let go of the excuses about it not being the right time, or that you’re not experienced enough just yet, or need to do this, that or the other to be ready… if you truly want it, we’re here to switch things up and start working for it.

Making life happen by design rather than it happening by default.

So, how can you do that?

The Power of Intention

It's great to have desires and aspirations. In fact, setting goals is an important part of personal growth and development.

However, as we’ve established, simply wanting something isn't enough.

You need to have a plan of action and take the necessary steps to achieve your goals. Without action, your desires remain just that - desires.

Get focussed on what you want. It's important to channel your energy into taking action to bring your goals alive.

That means, writing out the ‘big goal’, breaking it down into manageable chunks and start making small changes that incrementally take you closer to it with each action you take.

For example, if you want to run a half marathon and you’ve never run one in your life, you’re not going to expect to be capable of running 26.2 miles without doing some kind of preparation and training to take you closer to being able to achieve that kind of distance…

You’ll break it down by understanding how long you have until race day.

Decide what the milestones are between now and that that allow you to build up your capacity to run that distance.

You’ll have a plan that you follow, each week building up the miles and pace.

First, you’re going to run and walk 2miles.

Then, you’ll tackle a 5-mile run.

Then an 8, a 10, a 15…and so on.

And when race day comes round, you’re ready for the big 26.2 having taken small incremental steps towards that bigger goal.

You set the intention and worked for it. It didn’t just happen.

The Value of Hard Work

We’ve all been there, comparing our starting point to somebody else’s journey, 5 years on from us, saying how lucky they are, or wanting to be further ahead than you are…

And I get it, wanting to be further along, having skipped all the hurdles, and done a fast track to success is very common. Success is also often attributed to luck, talent, or natural ability, and while these factors can play a role, the most successful people are those who are willing to put in the hard work. It’s a commitment to putting in the graft needed that’s continued to get them to where they are.

Achieving your goals takes time, effort, and commitment.

There is no substitute for hard work. It requires sacrifice, dedication, and persistence. Even the most talented can be outshone by hard work.

"Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” - Tim Notke

For example, I am pretty strong, which is all relative, but I can assure you that is not down to genetics or luck, it’s due to dedication, hard work, eating to fuel my workouts and to make my muscles strong. Creating a lifestyle that supports me towards that end goal.

If I had wanted to be strong and not taken the action to get there, guess what? I wouldn’t be strong.

I’ve focussed on making the journey to that goal part of my lifestyle. By doing the work to get me there, rather than wishing for the end result, I’ve worked for it by taking small steps each day that have ultimately got me there.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” -  Arthur Ashe

The Importance of Persistence

We often give up too soon.

Buckle at the first hurdle.

Persistence is a superpower.

It can feel frustrating, if you’ve hit a plateau or found yourself in the pits of the process and can’t see the woods for the trees, which is why it’s really important to stay focused on your vision, the end goal and be persistent, even when things get tough.

Moving towards anything in life will provide you with obstacles and setbacks along the way, but it’s incredibly important to keep pushing forward regardless. Find a way through, over or around what’s in your way.

The reward for seeing things through is next level. The feeling of accomplishment and pride in what you’ve achieved is a great feeling to cultivate for yourself. You’ve had to tackle many hard or painful moments to see that light at the end of the tunnel. It’s an amazing feeling.

Persistence is the difference between giving up to soon and reaching your goals. Remember that success is a journey, not a destination. It's the small daily actions that build up over time that led to success.

Some days it might feel like more of a struggle and on others you’ll feel like you’re soaring. Without those lows you don’t appreciate the highs so much!

Keep going.

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich

Putting it into Practice

So how can you apply these principles in your own life?

1. Set your intentions:

Start by setting clear goals and creating a plan of action. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps that you can take each day.

2. Do the hard work:

Focus on the work rather than the end result, celebrate your successes along the way, and stay committed to your vision.

3. Persevere:

When setbacks happen, and they will, remind yourself of why you started and keep pushing forward. Embrace the process and enjoy the ride (even if you want to jump off it).

If you want something you have to be willing to put in the work. Mental resilience is a muscle, and like all other muscles, it demands consistent exercise to get stronger. Simply wishing for something is not enough. It takes hard work, dedication, and persistence to achieve success.

“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

And if you’d like support in getting realigned and refocused on your goals, reach out, book a consult call and let’s chat!