Have To vs. Want To

We all have responsibilities in life and some people naturally just seem more on the ball than others when it comes to getting things done. Some people naturally exercise, eat well, clean up, and get tasks done in a timely order. Other people, as likeable as they may be, just seem to have a hard time sticking to a routine and making a routine out of doing life priorities. What makes these two kinds of people different? Are people who make a habit out of getting things done just programmed that way?

There’s a big difference between wanting to do something and doing something because you feel like you should. For example, there’s a lot going against the people who tell themselves that they hate being unhealthy and they need to lose weight. On the other hand, there’s people who love the feelings associated with being fit, being healthy, and feeling good. Those people actually want to achieve benefits and they are motivated even further when they experience them first hand.

To those who hate how they feel are trying to move away from that feeling rather than actually obtain something positive. No lasting success can result from a mindset of avoidance. Even if people taking this route eventually reach their goals, they did so from a negative mindset, and negativity tends to perpetuate itself. Accomplishing those goals will ultimately be a lot more tedious than it has to be.

Life is better lived and challenges are more obtainable when we can take a positive mindset. If it sounds cliché or cheesy, then chances are is that you’ve never seriously given positivity a chance.

I started taking my health a lot more seriously when I knew I needed to keep a clear mind to better learn Korean with more efficiency. As a photographer in Korea, who’s married to a Korean, it’s very important to me that I become fluent in the language. Suddenly exercising, eating habits, nutrition, sleep patterns, and organization dramatically improved. I have tried so many times to improve each of those areas individually but never had lasting success.

I had always approached those areas while thinking “I should be a healthier person.” Finally, I had a strong motivation to be healthy. Of course, I always had a “reason” to be healthy, since being healthy for the sake of being healthy is good – but it’s hard to stay motivated with that reasoning alone. I now felt an added motivation that drew more encouragement from within.

Life won’t give us what we want if we just put on autopilot and hope for the best. Simply wanting something isn’t going to get results. We need to know why we want something and know exactly what it’s going to bring (or not bring) to our lives. When we have motivation paired with reasons, then we’re on the right track.

For further related reading, please check out: Work – Blessing or Curse?