In my work, when I talk about “desire,” I’m not talking about lust. 

When you have a true desire, it feels like a pull from your heart. It’s “right.” It’s not just yielding to a moment of excitement. 

Each of us has different paths, different callings, and therefore, different desires. I never desired to play pro sports or to pursue supply-chain logistics. There are people who are great at those. And they might not lean toward my desire to teach, touch, and positively transform the lives of others. You have your own desires. I may or may not have an interest. It’s likely I don’t have the desire, the charge, the drive that you have for what you truly want.

We have choices. That’s a special power that we humans have as a result of our cognitive abilities. We’re driven and can reason. And what sets us apart is that we can understand that we have reason. We’re not driven by instinct, even as opportunities abound. 

Misalignment happens when we make choices based on what others tell us is right for us, even when they violate our own values. We don’t even realize that we’re being told what the right choice is. We passively accept that everyone in our neighborhood seems to be driving a certain type of car or that the endcaps in grocery stores are selling a particular food. 

Check your values. Are you choosing because some worm got in, or are you choosing based on the values you declare as yours? 

Opportunities abound and it’s up to us to match them against our values and vision for our future identity. Who do you want to become? What steps will you take or will you avoid taking in service of that future you? 

Discernment is the key to your moving ahead smoothly. Quite simply, what’s “in” and what’s “out.” Don’t chase what you want. Build yourself to become the person who has it. Do so by releasing anything from your life that doesn’t bring you closer to it.

My guess is that you’re interested in personal and professional development. That’s why you’ve read this far. So, keep doing this. It’s “in.” Doomscrolling on social media, does that serve your value of developing yourself? Choose. Is what you’re doing in each moment bringing you closer to or further from your goal or values-based desire?

Track your activities over the next few days. Look at your calendar. Look at your bank statement and look at your plate. For each expense of time, money, calories, or attention, are you moving closer to the person you want to become? 

Leverage discernment. What’s in? What’s out will no longer register as a part of your life.

Keep making your magic and be sure to check out what’s new for you at www.WaynePernell.com/ESS. Also, keep an eye out for my new Next Big Next program. It’s going to be fun and you’ll learn a lot along the way!

= Wayne =