Wanting to Have Done

If you've had a conversation with me by phone or in person in the last few months, you've probably heard me use the phrase or a derivative of "wanting to have done" rather than "wanting to do". This is a shorthand that's been useful in helping me understand my motivations and whether I'm being honest with myself. It's also something I've been pushing other people to consider.

For instance, most people don't want to restrict their eating and add exercise, but they want to have done these things and reap the rewards.

People want to have done the work to improve their careers. Want to have done the years of practice to become a world-class athlete. Want to have read the dense, great works of literature, but not give up their TV time. Want to have written the great American novel, but not spend the immense number of hours slaving over the keyboard.

So, the next time you're saying that you "want" to do something, ask yourself, do I want to do or have done?