Achieving Fitness Goals: The Difference Between Wanting, Wishing, and Making It Happen
When it comes to fitness and personal transformation, we're often quick to set lofty goals for ourselves - lose 20 pounds, run a marathon, bench press our bodyweight. But as the age-old saying goes, "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."
So what separates those who merely want or wish for change from those who actually make it a reality? The answer lies in the mindset and actions that underpin each of these approaches.
Wanting It to Happen
The realm of "wanting" is where many of us first start our fitness journeys. We see the chiseled physiques on Instagram, we read about the health benefits of regular exercise, and we think to ourselves, "I want that." We may even go so far as to set some vague, ambitious goals - "I want to get in the best shape of my life!"
The problem with this mindset is that it's entirely passive. Wanting something to happen does nothing to actually make it occur. It's a fleeting thought or daydream, disconnected from any real action or accountability. And all too often, those vague fitness wants quickly fade away amid the daily grind of life.
Wishing It Would Happen
The "wishing" mindset takes wanting a step further, infusing it with a bit more intention and emotion. Instead of a mere passing desire, we find ourselves constantly fantasizing about the end result - the ripped six-pack, the toned legs, the jaw-dropping transformation. We might even share these wishes with friends and family, eliciting their encouragement and validation.
But alas, wishing alone is still not enough to create tangible change. It's a passive, hopeful mentality that lacks the crucial element of self-responsibility. We're essentially placing the onus on some external force or circumstance to miraculously make our fitness dreams come true, without putting in the hard graft ourselves.
Making It Happen
And then there are those rare individuals who don't just want or wish for their fitness goals - they make them happen. This mindset is characterized by unwavering commitment, relentless action, and a staunch refusal to accept anything less than the desired outcome.
Those who make it happen know that getting in shape isn't just about setting a target weight or deadline. It's about cultivating an unshakable standard of excellence, and then rigorously upholding that standard day in and day out. They understand that progress isn't linear, and that obstacles and setbacks are inevitable - but they meet those challenges head-on, with a dogged determination to push through.
Crucially, those who make it happen take full ownership of their fitness journeys. They don't rely on external motivation or circumstances to catalyze their transformation. They are the captains of their own ships, charting the course and weathering the storms, fueled by an unwavering commitment to their vision.
So the next time you find yourself stuck in the wanting or wishing phases of your fitness goals, take a step back and ask yourself: What would it take for me to make this happen? What standards am I willing to uphold, what habits am I ready to build, what sacrifices am I prepared to make in order to forge the person I know I can become?
It's in that decisive shift from passive longing to active creation that the real magic happens. And it is there, in the crucible of your own determination and discipline, that you'll uncover the true strength to achieve what once seemed impossible.