On our journey to self-improvement and thus, a more secure state of happiness, we often seek out tools and resources to help us achieve our goals. Among those resources we draw from, is often a particular affirmation or commitment.
That affirmation and self commitment is most often, “I can.” In that, we are telling ourselves and the world that we can indeed do something — that we have the motivation and drive to actually do what we need and want to do. Its an incredible first step and one that everyone on the journey to bettering life needs to say. After all, if we decided one day to improve our life and become more positive and then just said and did nothing else, it probably wouldn’t happen — so that “I can” affirmation is key because it is an invaluable commitment.
But what if “I can” is just not enough? What if saying it and truly believing it, is simply just talk? What I mean of course is that affirming that one can “get a promotion,” or “be kinder” or that we can “be more positive and happy” is great, but its simply not enough. The really powerful self-commitment comes when we actively and passionately declare “I will!”
Promise and commitment without action are hollow. We can say “I will” do this or that, but if we don’t actually move on it and take effective action, we are still stuck…still just idling along in life. Affirming that we will do something good and positive is the trigger to move forward. And, we move forward by having a plan, even if that plan starts out as just a carefully thought-out next one or two steps. If we declare that we can get a better job, then how will we actually make that happen? If we declare that we can actually be happy, then what do we need to do and not do, to be happy?
We all have unique goals and aspirations and that means how we each accomplish our goals and dreams will vary. But what seems to be an agreed upon universal truth is that wanting something and actively pursuing it, are not the same. Action is required to make dreams come true and I feel that “I can” and “I will” are two of the most vitally important actions/mind-sets we need to actually move forward in life.
How do we move from “I can” to “I will?” Personally, I think taking some private time to write out our dreams and goals is key — having a fluid action plan that moves us in the right directions makes all the difference in the word. The important thing it to decide to know we can do it and then, to affirm that we will do it.
“Dreams don’t work unless you take action. The surest way to make your dreams come true is to live them.” ― Roy T. Bennett
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life, and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” – Amelia Earhart
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