Every Sunday morning, I drive by a park. It’s on the left-hand side of the street with a basketball court, play structure, and large soccer field clearly visible.
During the week, in afternoons and evenings, the park is full of excitement. Parents sit and talk, children play, teenagers ride skateboards, grown men show up to play basketball.
But early on a Sunday morning, the park tells a different story. It is quiet and completely empty—except for one person who, without fail, works out in the field every weekend.
For as long as I can remember, every Sunday when I drive by that park, I see a young man (high school age) exercising in that park, running sprints and working on his football skills with a private coach. Some weeks, I find him running 40-yard sprints while his trainer tracks his time with a stop watch. Other weeks, I find him high-stepping through tires, weaving through cones, or back-peddling quickly to improve his foot speed.
By the time I drive by, he is clearly exhausted. Often times I have seen him complete a drill and walk slowly back to the starting line. He will put his hands on his knees and take a deep breath—the physical pain obvious even from my vantage point. And then, with a heavy sigh, he will put his fingers on the ground, arch his back, wait for the whistle, and push himself again.
I know nothing of this young man. I don’t know his name, his exact age, or where he lives. I only know that he inspires me.
He reminds me that a goal without action is not really a goal at all.
He reminds there is a big difference between saying you want something, and actually working to make it happen.
My son is in 7th grade and loves playing sports. Many of his friends do as well. In fact, they love sports so much that when I ask them what they want to be when they grow up, most will say, “I want to be a professional athlete.” Their response doesn’t surprise me. When I was younger, I said the same thing.
It is a common dream that is tough to outgrow. No doubt, even in high schools all over this country, the dream of becoming a professional athlete remains.
In my mind, I imagine this young man from the park plays on a football team at one of our local high schools. His team is full of other high school students. Many of which would tell you they have a goal: to one day become a professional football player.
There are countless boys who claim they want to play in the NFL… but there is only one I see up early on Sunday morning running sprints until his legs hurt. There is only one working his tail off to make it a reality. And I am inspired because that is the dedication required to become a professional football player. I won’t be surprised if he makes one day.
The whole scene reminds me of a conversation I witnessed shortly after graduating college. A mentor of mine was interacting with a gentleman older than me when the man made this statement, “I want to buy a Corvette.”
My mentor responded to his desire quite frankly, “No you don’t.”
“What do you mean? Of course I do. I’d like to own a Corvette.”
My mentor responded with words I have never forgotten, “No, you don’t really want to buy a Corvette. You see, if you really wanted to buy a Corvette, you could buy a Corvette. You could sell your home and maybe also your business. Then, you would have enough money to buy a Corvette. You say you want to own a Corvette… but if you really wanted to buy a Corvette, you’d be changing your life to do exactly that.”
I learned a valuable lesson that day from my mentor, “Saying you want something is one thing, but actually doing something about it is very different.” We prove what we desire most by our actions, not by our words.
We see this and experience it all the time.
We want to get out of debt, but continue to spend money on unneeded things. We want to get in shape, but never make the changes in our diet or exercise habits to accomplish that. We want to start saving for retirement, but never pursue the answers we need to get started. We desire to start a business or change jobs, but continue to spend our evenings and weekends watching television.
Or how about this one? We desire to live in a clutter-free home, but continue finding reasons why we need to keep all the stuff around us.
In each case, what we say we want is different from what we actually pursue.
Again, saying you want something is one thing, doing something about it is very different. We prove what we desire most by our actions, not by our words.
So let me ask you: What is it you want most? What life change do you desire?
Then, ask yourself this follow-up question: Are you taking the steps necessary to accomplish that goal? Or, are you settling for something else instead?
After all, a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking.
Erin says
Very inspiring, thank you! I often start projects and abandon them after I find another one I want to start. My new years resolution this year is to see what I can accomplish when I stay committed to something. :)
Stephanie L says
Phew. Thanks for this. I realized this week that I had reached some sort of turning point. I’m deeply into my most frenetic, dynamic, 14-hour-days part of my work year. The group at dinner ordered fries and fried this and other fried stuff and I got a salad, thinking “I can’t manage my stress if I’m not eating well.”
Stress will still happen when work is this busy, but I don’t have to make it worse than it already is. And yes, I could step back if I wished. For now I choose not to.
Sunshine says
I like your example! I have been working on eating well even at holidays for similar reasons, and each time I have been so amazed to find it gets easier, I feel better, and it helps my health so much more than I expected. It is doable! I’m so used to it now, I am not even thinking of taking a break from eating well – I am no longer addicted to junk food or sugar, and I don’t want to go back!
Tiffany @ HappyThankfulHopeful says
This post motivated me to really think about the ideal & purposeful life I want to live and encouraged me to put pen to paper (or typed keys to Word doc) which helped me see just how doable it is to live my ideal life, once I re-prioritize and tweak a few things.
It also encourages me to blog more regularly to share nuggets of wisdom that help me and can hopefully help others.
Thank you!!
Christina says
It’s so true that if you really want to make something happen, it will. I also think that really big change needs a leap of faith–you can’t wait for everything to fall into place. Or maybe it’s that things do fall into place when you work at what you want?!
Margaret says
Silly question. But does the preorder apply to kindle books too? or just hard back?
John Keep Walking says
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for the post. I pre-ordered the book through iBooks.
Would I still be eligible to take the 12 week course?
Thanks,
John
joshua becker says
Yup, just keep your receipt handy. We will release all the details next week.
John P. Weiss says
I’m fond of saying “You are what you do.” Writers write. Painters paint. Parents parent. And dreamers…dream.
Sarah W says
Thank you for saying this – great quote!
John P. Weiss says
Thanks Sarah!
Renee says
What stands out most about this article is why a young man is the only one around on Sunday morning. Most people are in church, worshipping God, who blesses us humans with our possessions. God gives us the ultimate life satisfaction. We don’t need to count items; we need to count blessings and share our love of God with others.
God may have placed this young man there for you to help him spiritually. You see this young man’s physical pain, yet I see his spiritual pain. You get inspired by him to help yourself set your own goals, yet writing this article does not benefit this young man at all. Is there any way you can stop and talk to him? Are you seeing him every Sunday because you are on your way to church? Invite him! I thank you for writing this article and bringing him to my attention so I can pray for him, too.
Minimalism is about people, not possessions.
Let’s not be such minimalists that we don’t have any love left to give others.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment. But I do not think I am in any position to make judgments about his spirituality.
Debbie says
As there was no time frame give NY ou are making the assumption that thisyoung man is working during “church” time. It could also be that he is there a couple of hours before church or maybe he does his worshipping at a different time of day. Could also be thay his coach is only available at that time and because the park is empty it is the best time to get focused intense practice in with nobody else getting in the way. Never assume that some one is “skipping” church because that are not doing it exactly as you want them to. This young man is excelling at this area of life because of discipline and I can guarantee you that the rest of his life and lifestyle benefits from that discipline also.
Instead of criticism how about you send blessings and love to someone who is working hard and being a blessing to his community.
There are alway any ways to locate something and the best way tpknow what is going on is to have a conversation with (not at!) the person. Practise the love you are wing taught in church.
Debbie says
How do I edit my post please?
Angela says
Just what I needed to read in this moment in time – thanks for sharing!
Denise says
Hi Joshua, I pre-ordered your book on Amazon.ca. I have not received notification regarding free assess to your course. How may I gain assess? Really looking forward to participating! My lastest great read was “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. He recommends work and general life practices that highly support a goal focused life that’s healthy, purposeful and satisfying. It’s been a game changer for me!