We all want to be happy, respected by our community, filthy rich, be in an amazing relationship, go on faraway holidays without a care in the world. but nobody is willing to put in the effort it requires and the sacrifices it needs to get you there. We want, like little children we want, we cry and stomp and we want the things we want without working for it. We have a fantasy of the things we desire and we keep repeating it to our friends and relatives that we want it so badly. But if nothing ever happens for years, it probably means that you’re not doing anything to work towards your goals. You’re just thinking about it and are in love with the end result.

You want that great relationship with a loving spouse whose eyes light up every time they see you walking through the door? The partner that takes care of your needs and walks through fire for you if need be? Then you have to go through the emotional drama that comes before, the awkward silences, the fights, the misunderstandings, the emotional rollercoaster, the daunting conversations, going through the hard parts together. If you want to keep the people in your life that you care about, then you have to be able to handle the rough patches.

Since we are wired to go for the fun parts and leave the tough parts for what they are, we often walk or settle, we leave behind something potentially great because we don’t want to put in the effort to build a lasting foundation. It would surprise you how many people settle for less because of their unwillingness to go through the negative.

You want that hot beach body, then you have to put in the hours in the gym sweating and pushing yourself harder and harder each time you’re there. You have to count the calories with every bite that goes into your mouth, leave your favorite dessert more times than you care for. Nobody got ripped from just thinking about it. Believe me I’ve tried.

You want to have a successful business that’s thriving? That means sleepless nights, hours and hours on end doing research, work, hardship, starting over, taking that risk that scares the shit out of you. Nothing is pleasurable all the time, this is impossible, you have to realize that most things and people suck from time to time. You will have rotten days that you want to give up and throw in the towel, but you will also reach highs that will drive you even further than ever before. Sometimes you need the bad to push you towards your reward.

If you want the view from the mountaintop you have to do the climb first. Just wanting it is not enough. Working towards the thing you want requires sacrifice, effort and tremendous will power. Everything is a process, you don’t just get somewhere by thinking about it. You want to travel? Then you have to go online, search for a ticket, compare what feels like hundred of hotels, pack your bags, go to the airport in time, through the hassle of security, enjoy a little jetlag and then you get to enjoy your destination and relax.