Did your parents tell you to be content with what you have, when you were growing up? Mine did and I know they meant well. Sometimes people ask, “Why can’t you just be happy with your job?” or career, income, status, etc. That desire in your gut is an often misunderstood and maligned part of the healthy you.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s essential to be content with what we have. I strongly believe showing gratitude for all the good in our lives is a must if we are continue receiving. However, it is my belief that, to quell desire on its existence alone is a mistake, if we are to grow, develop, and reach our full potential.

Growing up in a religiously devout  home, I was taught, “Having food and clothing, be content.” I let this become my glass ceiling and figured as long as there’s food on the table and a roof over our heads, that’s all we really need.

As I grew older, became responsible for my own income, and started a family, that’s were my income stayed. Just enough, but nothing more.

I woke up one day and realized, that is not a legacy I want to leave my children. In fact I realized how this idea of suppressing desire simply on account of needing to be content and happy was not going to set my children on a healthy path to grow, development and becoming all they are capable of becoming in their lives. Yes, they need to understand the immense value of gratitude, and the knowledge of how desire is instrumental, essential actually, in achieving their dreams and living a full life.

Here is the understanding I want to leave them with.

  • Desire is the magic sauce that helps us persist when the going is tough.
  • Definiteness of purpose is essential to reaching our goals and desire is a key to keeping that commitment strong.
  • How often have you tried to do something and failed? A burning desire changes that try to do. Nike got it right, “Just Do It”
  • Wishing for something will not get you any closer to having it, if it is not turned into a burning desire channeled into massive action.
  • You must be willing to burn your bridges and rule out other options or possibilities, if you are to accomplish some things in life and desire plays a key role in building that determination.
  • Rule out the possibility of defeat with a clear and definite plan for achieving it. The plan may change but the desire to reach that goal must remain constant and steady.

Here are the 6 steps Napoleon Hill outlined as the method for turning desire for riches into its financial equivalent, paraphrased of course. He came upon it after studying 500 of the most successful people of his time.

  1. Fix in your mind the exact measurable goal you want to achieve. (There is a psychological reason for definiteness described in his book Think and Grow Rich.)
  2. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the goal you desire. (Especially important if you are reaching for a financial goal. There is not such thing as “something for nothing.”)
  3. Establish a definite date when you intend to achieve the goal you desire.
  4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
  5. Write our a clear, concise statement of the exact measurable goal you intend to achieve. Name the time limit for its accomplishment. State what you intend to give in return for that goal, especially important if your goal is in regards to money, and describe the plan through which you intend to accumulate or achieve it.
  6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after rising in the morning. AS YOU READ, SEE AND FEEL, AND BELIEVE YOURSELF ALREADY IN POSSESSION OF THE GOAL OR THE MONEY.
[reminder]What experiences do you remember where a strong desire helped you achieve your goal? What are some things you do to keep your desires strong.[/reminder]