People don’t know what they want. They don’t.  They THINK they know what they want, but usually, it’s a superficially grandiose idea. I’m guilty of this. Here I am, midway through life, and I am still trying to figure it out. Oh, the humanity!

But it’s not always about what we want. Sure, wanting things is completely fine, but I don’t really think we focus on the NEED. Sure, I want to be thin and healthy… but what I NEED is to take care of myself. Of course, you want to have better relationships, family or otherwise… but what you NEED is to do is take care of those relationships accordingly.

So, it’s okay to want, but you have to focus on the NEED as well. I’ve been thinking about it and  realized that wanting is desire based and needing is necessity based. Wants are also emotionally based, but needs, needs are driven by purpose and / or survival. Wants can be impulsive, and needs are usually long-term. I think you get the idea. I do.

So think about what you want and what you need. Wants can be impulsive; needs are usually long-term, and wants are usually optional; needs are essential. Needing is really the stability we really, well, need. Confusing wants with needs can lead to superficial progress or not progress at all. So next time you feel stuck or unmotivated, ask yourself: Is this something I want… or something I need? Asking myself more and more every day.

-JR