The main reason that you don’t get anything done in life is because you don’t actually want to.
You say you want to. But you don’t really.
I woke up at 4:25 this morning to take a friend to the airport. I usually struggle to wake up at 7am with a symphony of different alarm clocks. But I woke up BEFORE my alarms went off this morning. Why? I had decided to wake up. I decided that I wouldn’t let my friend down and that I would wake up to take him to the airport… whereas other mornings I tell myself that I must wake up at 7am, but I don’t actually want to wake up. I just tell myself to do it because I think I should but I don’t decide to wake up, so I don’t.
People say that they want to improve and be brilliant but that’s not actually what they want.
People say they want to do really well academically but they don’t study. Those who do well make it their purpose to do well. They focus fully when they study, and they study for hours. They decide to do well and do everything to make that happen. They live it. Their decision is beyond just words, they make it their purpose.
People say that they want to improve but actually, their purpose is to “just get by”. And that’s all that happens, they “just get by”. And that’s fine. It’s what they want. On a deep level, at least. They’ll tell you that they want to change and improve, but that’s not what they want.
Empty words.
I really believe that you can do anything. Anything at all. I don’t believe in “intelligence” – in the sense that one person is clever and another isn’t – or the idea that one person can do something and another can’t. I really believe, based on my own experience, that if you want something and decide to do it and make it happen then you can. You can do anything at all as long as you decide to do it.
But there’s the thing:
You have to make that decision – that choice – to do it. The intention behind the decision is what makes the decision bloom. Make that decision, feel it as though it is now, with full intention for that to be true, fully feel that excitement that change brings pulsing through your being – don’t just tell yourself that you’ll do it in a lie intended to protect your lazy, useless existence.
We’re scared of change because we’re worried that changing something means it wasn’t already perfect – and that makes us worry that other things aren’t “perfect” – but improving your life relies on the notion that there’s something to improve.
That which you are on a deep level is changeless, perfect, whole and complete. But we can still improve the situations we experience. The experiencer, that which you are, is perfect and changeless but the experience can be changed and improved upon when you decide to do so.
But unless you fully commit and decide to do something – to improve or change something – your indecisiveness will keep you torn between where you are and where you want to be, it’ll create resistance that will limit your potential action, and it will cloud your awareness of the reality of the situation.
You have to make a whole-hearted, committed decision that resonates in every tingle of your being, giving you that “I will do this no matter what” motivation to do something – to act on that decision and to actually improve.
Decide to do something.
Or don’t.
But take responsibility and make a decision.
…because if you don’t, nothing will change.
You decide.
Unleash Reality
Alex
34 Comments
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Loved this post man, really well written. Apart from the fact that I’m surprised you woke up at 4:25 (only time you’ve been up that early is for nampa) this really speaks to the reader
Stumbled & Tweeted! Hopefully it will send some traffic your way
Cheers,
Glenny Boo
you are my hero.
charriot of love =D
legend status
Great article! And perfect timing for me personally; I’m currently working on change and achieving what I really want. Dreaming and doing are both important but I tend to struggle most with the doing.
I’ll be back for more insight. Keep it up!
Stan
Thanks for your comment Stan.
Doing is definitely tough. busy putting together a post on it but try this -something a really successful friend of mine does that has helped me indescribably.
ask yourself, “do i want this?” think about what you’re having trouble getting done and ask yourself whether you want it or not. that should give you drive to actually get it done.
alex
Agree.Nicely written. I think in order to make that choice you have to be coming from an authentic place. So do something based on your own intensions. I guess a lot of what we do comes from what other people expect and as a result our hearts arn’t fully in it.
I never used to do any work at school but I could sit for hours with my guitar and compose an awesome song.Whats the difference? Both take a certain amount of effort. The difference is I was doing it because I wanted to do it,not because I was SUPPOSED to do it.
This is a good post and its something I definetely struggle with. For me I get to wrapped up in what other people want from me that I loose track of what I want. So what I take away from this is become more in touch with your core values. And if you’re acting through your own intensions, things will get done NATURALLY.
Keep up the good work,
sites looking great!
Mike
. so would love to see a post about dicovering the authentic self
…
completely =D
it’s really cool to see how you’ve totally turned around on the authenticity. really inspiring.
the guitar vs school work analogy is spot on. go team mikey
solid point. i think the main difference is your thought about what you’re doing that will determine whether you can do it for 6 hours or not start at all. and that def ties into authenticity too.
what other people want is irrelevant. it’s all you. you know that though mikey.
stop pretending to be chode
thanks for the comment bro.
Great article Alex. This stuff is so true. Now I just need to get something done…
Thanks man. Appreciate it. Lording the internet =D
like i replied to Stan above, one thing that really helps me with getting things done is to think about and literally feel what it will be like to have got that thing done already. and ask yourself, “do i want this?” that will give you drive to make it happen proper.
Alex
very cool bro. found it interesting. keep that sheezy going.
Thanks for reading and commenting man. Appreciate it.
Come to think of it, learned quite a bit from you back in school days. crazy days
keep well man
I don’t remember who said it, but reading your post brought this to mind: if you think you can or if you think you can’t, you’re right.
I’ve heard that before too. so true. thanks for adding it, kind of like “aha” remembering it and how powerful it is
busy writing a post along those lines so i’m super glad you brought that up.
Alex
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Good stuff!
It’s so true.
I think people are just inherently lazy, and it takes a concious effort to take control over the lazyness to go out and get things done. however, lazyness is the motivation and inspiration behind almost all technology.
how do you get more done with less effort…hence…the invention of the weel, automation etc:)
There are different things for each person that will make them realise why they should get out and go achieve something, whether it be a near death experience, or seeing what life could be like, or maybe just a smile from a stranger and a few words of wisdom from them. You never know.
Take the plunge:)
keep well dude…I’m working hard, I’ll see you soon, itll be good to party again!
Cheers!
So true.
And i think just realizing that there IS effort helps make it effortless.
definitely different things for different people though i think it’s not the thing itself but the change in perspective that happens. and you don’t have to wait for a near-death experience to change your perspective – it’s a choice that you can make right now.
hope you’re well man. definitely come by whenever you’re in town next… and besides, the night needs to be owned
alex
Now thats what Im talking about, Niiiice post man.
Now Im just trying to convince myself that I want to be studying
It would definitely explain why its such a grind to be studying atm…
Keep up the Awesomeness
Just
coolness.
just posted a procrastination post too for study remedy
all the best with exams
later man
alex
Spot on!
shotty deluxe wilding p
respect-o check back soon
alex
Hi Alex,
I came to your site through your comment at my blog. I love this article and I gave it a stumble.
Cheers,
Vincent
Hey Vincent.
Came to your blog through pluginid – glen is a good friend of mine.
Thanks for the stumble, appreciate it.
talk to you soon
alex
very inspirational.. take life into your own hands approach.. good stuff
Thanks themba deluxe!!
…and thanks for the space and magic elixir of glory
alex
Unfinished. I guess you were a bit lazy too
We all know that JUST DO IT is not an answer.
Before JUST DO IT you need to have motivation, will power, and self-discipline.
Example with your friend is not a good one; there was more NEED than WANT.
In any case, great post, but incomplete unless you look into motivation.
If you say so
Decided not to elaborate or ramble too much. the balance between length and completeness. felt right when i wrote it so i posted it. will elaborate in the future or in the comments if you want something cleared up?
…and needing motivation, will power, and self-discipline is just a choice you’ve made about what you need in order to actually take some action. it’s a criterion that you’ve created. you can wait to get more motivation, will power and self-discipline if you want though
…and i see where you’re going with the “need” versus “want” but to me there’s no difference. a need is just a want that you’ve decided to commit to (usually because you think you have to). A need is just a want that you’ve decided to do – the uncertainty is taken out – funny how you get the “needs” done in life and seldom the “wants” :p
thanks for the criticism – the constructive bits at least.
all the best
alex
Thanks so much!
Your articles helped me!
The average general pep talk from the bum next door. Shallow without a lot of debt.
You never would know what you’re doing to yourself,not until the damage is done. I was once a victim and as a matter of fact am still a victim. Wonder why i kept telling myself i can’t do well in maths class,whereas no one can contend with me when it comes to English. I discovered my prowess in English language when i was a very young boy because i painstakingly read all books writting in english whenever i come across one,but when it has to do with science books,i just would open it for the fun of looking at pictures.
This continued until late last year when i discovered that i was wasting away in science class cos i couldn’t do well at every science subjects that involved calculations. For the fact that i was about taking my final exams,i decided to dedicate more time to my maths lessons,and verily i must say unto you,it paid off,cos right now,there are only limited topics i can’t handle in maths.
In essence what i’m trying to say is that you need to DISCOVER your hidden potentials in areas of difficulties and afterwards find the WILL POWER and SELF-MOTIVATION to achieve what seemed impossible.
You wonder why i said earlier on that i’m still a victim,it’s because there are still some subjects that i can’t really boast of up to five topics,but thank God i stummbled upon this article,for it as kindle the spirit within me to soar higher academically.
Let your situations speak to you.
Great work man,nice job.
Well written article, and great website design,