The concept of "wishing versus doing" is something we as humans in this vast and intricate world struggle with on a daily basis. I find that even myself and my go-getter attitude are not immune to this confliction.
As we go about our day to day lives there are so many things that we see that we wish we could have or things we wish we could be able to do, yet we never act on these wishes. Instead, we find ourselves later resenting or being envious of others who have those things or experiences we wish we could have or at the least pursue. What is actually stopping us from achieving our own wishes and goals?
There is a quote by author Edmond Mbiaka that I find is a simple and quick explanation for this phenomenon: “Successful individuals desire things, and then get busy turning them into realities, while a lot of unsuccessful people wish from things, but then spend the rest of their lives wishing for them.”
As humans it is natural for us to adapt to situations, it is natural for us to desire things and it is natural for us to form habits and get stuck in the routines we form with our habits. So easily, We form this habit of laziness and just being okay with constantly ‘wishing’ and ‘wanting’. Yet, it is in this habit that we so quickly put ourselves down when we see others who have what we wish to have or are pursuing their goals in an attempt to achieve what we also wish for.
Although many people find themselves stuck in their habit of laziness there are other factors that contribute to this struggle of "wishing versus doing". Of course, I wish I could say that all we have to do is simply decide to pursue our wishes and aspirations; however, it is so much easier said than done, because, for many like myself, anxiety is what plays the lead role in holding us back.
Personally, as someone who struggles with anxiety, I find that often times what holds me back is the fear of not succeeding in my quest to fulfill my wishes and desires. To many, this concept may sound silly but to others, I know this is completely valid. Of course, I would like to not allow myself to be ruled by my anxious emotions but many times I find they hold me back.
For other people, the problem may not even be laziness or anxiety. This is where the real fear factor comes into play. One of the number one things that hold us back as individuals is our fear of failure. Ask anyone what their worst fear is and I guarantee the majority of individuals will state that they fear failure. Because of this fear we worry too much about what others may think about pursuing our aspirations, we worry too much about the tough road and all the hard work ahead and we worry too much about the possibility of not being able to achieve our wishes and desires. Therefore, we allow this fear of the unknown to control our lives and soon find ourselves never even beginning the journey to pursue our goals as a pure effort to save ourselves from the heartbreak of our own failure.
There comes a point in our lives where we must recognize what is holding us back. We must push past the anxiety. We must decide that today is the perfect day to get off of the couch and begin! We must stop allowing our fears of the unknown and the possibility of failure to rule over our lives and understand that failing will not harm us. On the contrary, it will only help teach us to grow and mature as individuals, instilling courage and a brave heart. In the end, we must stop overthinking and stop wondering and wishing. We must take a blind leap and start doing.
