Stop Wishing and DO!

Too often we find ourselves in the doldrums of “What if”. Too often we make excuses for why we never get things done. Too often we become slaves to apathy and excuses rather than “doers” and “go getters”. Too often we sit around wishing we would have done something, been something, or made something of ourselves. STOP IT! Stop wishing and DO something. 

No one in this world has power over you more than you do. You have the power to do all you wish you could do. Nothing holds you back but your own doubt, your own worry, and your own lack of self confidence. Excuses are for losers, and if you are reading this, YOU ARE NOT A LOSER! Stop making excuses for why you don’t get up early and get things done. Stop making excuses for why you don’t go to the gym. Stop making excuses for why you haven’t reached your goals or turned your dreams into reality. No one and nothing can hold you back except you.

Doing is a mind game. If you’re waiting for motivation, you will be waiting the rest of your life. Motivation is a fickle emotion, my friend. Motivation will get you nothing and nowhere. There is only one thing that will get you to where you want to go or help you become who you want to be: DISCIPLINE! It is only through discipline that getting up in the morning becomes doable. It is only through discipline that you go to the gym after a hard day. It is only through discipline that you work 8 hours for someone else and come home and work another 8 on your dreams and goals. Discipline is what it takes to get off of the wishing train. 

Jocko Willink, a former Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, said this about discipline, “Discipline equals freedom. Discipline is the driver of daily executions. Discipline defeats the infinite amount of excuses that hold you back. Some people think motivation will get them through things, but motivation is nothing more than an emotion. Discipline is something you dictate. Motivation won’t get you to the gym; discipline will. Motivation won’t help you get an important project done; discipline will. Motivation won’t get you out of bed in the morning; discipline will.” Discipline is the key to making our wishes a reality. You are more than just a person in this giant world. You are a person with passion, fervor, meaning, and purpose. Get after what drives you. Push yourself to reach your goals and turn your dreams into reality. Stop being defeated by your mind and overpower your mind through discipline.

Also, stop with the “Only if I…” This is just as bad as “What if…” We are all creatures of bad habits, and in order to get rid of bad habits, we must become creatures with purpose and determination. What is keeping you from getting your goals accomplished? Be real and be honest with yourself. If it’s time, where can you find extra time, or what can you quit that will give you more time? Side note…your spouse and children are NOT what’s holding you back. You have a responsibility to them and should NOT sacrifice your relationships with them to reach your goals. Work within your circumstances. Quit the nonessential crap that you do. Get off your phone, Facebook, social media, and go DO something. Quit staying late at work, and create boundaries for yourself. Quit saying yes to everyone’s request for your time (unless it’s your children or your spouse!). Make your dreams a reality by quitting the stuff that doesn’t matter. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was evicted from his home in Hawaii at the age of 14. He watched as his mother tried to commit suicide during that time. Because of this, Johnson suffered with depression for a long period in his life. However, he didn’t make excuses for himself, but rather found purpose and meaning in life and worked to become a successful wrestler, movie star, and business owner. 

Tony Robbins grew up poor with a troubled childhood. He worked as a janitor and barely made ends meet. He spent a week’s savings and went to a Jim Rhon seminar. What he learned changed his attitude and outlook on life. Instead of making excuses for not achieving much or not being able to do what he wanted or wished he could do, he found a way. He chose to be different. He chose to be more than his circumstances. To this day, he is a successful speaker and author. 

Walt Disney dropped out of school, was rejected by the military, went bankrupt, had his entire animation department go on strike, and lost his sanity. However, he didn’t allow his circumstances to keep him from reaching his goals and his dreams. He knew what he wanted and worked hard to get there. He could have easily given up, chosen to leave it all behind, or blamed his inability to reach his dreams on his circumstances. Instead, he took some time, collected his thoughts and sanity, and came back swinging. He opened Disneyland and the rest is history.

You are who you choose to be, and you become what you think about. If all you think is “Only if…” and “What if…” then all you will become is a question mark in this life. Many of your circumstances are out of your control, but what you choose to do inside those circumstances is completely on you. Not all circumstances are desirable, but they should never be an excuse for never reaching your goals and becoming who we want to be. Stop wishing and DO!