In life, we get what we believe we deserve. Eventually, it’s not about what we desire, it’s about who we need to be to get what we desire.
What's the quote's message?
The quote speaks to the powerful influence of our self-perceptions and beliefs on our reality. At its core, this quote suggests that our self-belief and self-worth play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of our lives. If we view ourselves as undeserving or unworthy, it can limit our aspirations, desires, and consequently, our achievements. In essence, our mindset becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy where we unconsciously steer our lives towards outcomes that align with our innermost beliefs about our worth. On the flip side, if we believe that we deserve success, happiness, and love, we're more likely to pursue opportunities that reflect these beliefs, thereby attracting these very things into our lives. This isn't to suggest that belief alone will manifest what we want, but it serves as a catalyst, sparking the actions necessary to obtain what we desire.
This quote also underlines the importance of personal growth and evolution in the pursuit of our desires. It's not simply about wanting something, but more importantly, about developing the qualities, skills, and mindset that align with that desire. For instance, if you aspire to be a successful author, it's not enough to simply want to write a best-selling novel. You have to embody the qualities of an author: discipline, creativity, resilience, and the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly. In other words, you have to become the person capable of achieving that goal. This quote serves as a reminder that personal transformation is an integral part of the process of achieving our desires, and it's often through this process that we gain the most valuable lessons and experiences.
Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
An inspiring historical example that illustrates the message of these quotes can be seen in the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was born into poverty in a log cabin and received little formal education. However, he believed he was capable of more than his circumstances suggested, indicating the idea of "in life, we get what we believe we deserve". He self-educated, becoming an avid reader and developing a deep understanding of law and politics. This reflects the second part of the quote, "it's not about what we desire, it's about who we need to be to get what we desire."
Lincoln had a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the world, and he realized that to fulfill this desire, he had to become someone who could influence policy and public opinion. He entered politics and after several setbacks, including losses in both the House of Representatives and Senate, he was eventually elected as the President of the United States. His personal transformation during this journey, developing resilience, honing his oratory skills, and cultivating a deep understanding of the nation's needs, is a testament to the essence of the quote.
As President, Lincoln led the country through one of its most challenging periods, the Civil War. His belief in the necessity of preserving the Union and ending slavery led to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, which declared slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. This monumental achievement was only possible because Lincoln believed in his ability to make a significant difference, and more importantly, he became the leader who was capable of guiding the nation through the war and taking decisive action against slavery. Thus, Lincoln's life is a compelling demonstration of how our beliefs about ourselves and our commitment to personal growth can lead us to achieve our most profound desires.
*To obtain more inspiration and motivation to achieve your goals, you definitely want to check out my extensive list of growth goals. This page contains SMART goal ideas that can help you establish new aspirations and attain greater heights in your personal growth journey. I utilized this page myself to create my own list of 100 life goals, which I dedicated a decade to pursuing.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
