Have you ever shared a goal with someone, only to be met with a raised eyebrow and the question, “Why?” How did you respond? Did you find yourself justifying your ambition, explaining its nobility? Or did you simply state, “Because I want it,” without feeling the need for further explanation?

This scenario highlights a crucial distinction that can significantly impact your success and personal growth: the difference between being a “wanter” and a “needer.”

 The Wanter vs. The Needer

Entrepreneur coach Dan Sullivan observed that the most successful entrepreneurs tend to be “wanters” rather than “needers.” But what exactly does this mean?

 The Needer’s Dilemma

Needers often feel compelled to justify why they need their goals. They might say:

• “I need to be a bestselling author to prove my worth.”
• “I need to earn six figures to feel successful.”

The problem? Once needers achieve their goals, they often stop expanding. They’ve met their need, so why push further?

 The Wanter’s Advantage

Wanters, on the other hand, simply want what they want. They don’t waste time questioning or justifying their desires. This mindset allows them to:

• 1. Continue expanding and evolving, seemingly without limit

• 2. Pursue goals with unapologetic passion

• 3. Move from one achievement to the next without losing momentum

 The Power of “Because I Want To”

Think about the areas in your life where you’ve excelled the most. Chances are, these are domains where you were driven by an internal desire rather than external pressure or perceived necessity.

For example:

• Learning to play the guitar? Because I want to.
• Writing music? Because I want to.
• Bench pressing twice your bodyweight? Because I want to.

These pursuits often feel as natural and unquestioned as the urge to pet a kitten or puppy – you do it “just because.”

 Transforming Needs into Wants

While the distinction between wants and needs is crucial, it’s also worth noting that there’s power in transforming needs into wants, and even in embodying your desires as if you’ve already achieved them. However, these are topics for another day.

 The Experiment: Embracing Your Wants

Here’s a simple yet powerful experiment you can try:

• 1. Choose a goal you have.

• 2. State it plainly: “I want X because I want X.”

• 3. Resist the urge to justify or explain further.

• 4. Repeat this statement until it feels completely natural.

For instance: “I want to be a bestselling author because I want to be a bestselling author.”

How does this feel? What shifts do you notice in your mindset or motivation?

 Conclusion: Unleashing Your True Potential

By embracing the “wanter” mindset, you free yourself from the constraints of justification and external validation. You open the door to continuous growth, unapologetic ambition, and the joy of pursuing what truly excites you.

Remember, as long as your wants are ethical and positive, there’s no need to justify them. Your desires are valid simply because they are yours.

So, what do you want? And are you ready to pursue it with the unrestrained passion of a true “wanter”?

What goals have you been justifying that you could simply want instead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!