Honestly, with stats and things like that, I try not to think

The words of Alex Morgan — “Honestly, with stats and things like that, I try not to think about them. I just find that the more you think about goals and assists — what you need to do and accomplish — the more you tend to fall short. When you hope for something and you want something, it comes to you.” — speak not only to athletes, but to all who walk the path of ambition. In these words, there lies a deep and ancient wisdom: that mastery is not born of constant calculation, but of surrender — surrender to the flow of one’s craft, to the rhythm of the present moment, to the trust that what is meant for you will come in its own time. Alex Morgan, one of the greatest players to grace the field of soccer, reminds us that true excellence is achieved not by obsessing over results, but by losing oneself in the joy of doing.

To understand her meaning, we must see the life behind the words. Alex Morgan, a world champion and Olympic gold medalist, has lived through the fierce fire of competition, the scrutiny of the public eye, and the pressure of expectation. In such an arena, where every goal, every assist, every statistic is measured and broadcast, the temptation to fixate on numbers is immense. Yet Morgan speaks from experience — she has learned that focusing too tightly on the outcome binds the spirit, like a bird trying to fly while watching its own wings. When one’s mind becomes consumed by “what must be achieved,” the body stiffens, the heart trembles, and instinct — that divine gift of flow — is lost.

This truth echoes through the wisdom of the ancients. The Taoists of China called it wu wei — effortless action, the art of doing without forcing. They taught that when the archer aims too consciously, when he overthinks his shot, his hand quivers, and the arrow misses its mark. But when he breathes, trusts, and releases, the arrow flies true. Alex Morgan’s words are a modern reflection of this same principle. To play, to create, to live with grace — one must act with intention but without attachment. The heart must desire, but the mind must release. For in the silence between effort and surrender, greatness is born.

Consider the story of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s “flow”, the state in which the artist or athlete transcends self-consciousness and becomes one with the act itself. Great musicians speak of moments where they cease to “play” the music and instead become the music; great runners speak of strides that feel effortless, as though their bodies were carried by wind. In this state, results arise not from calculation, but from immersion. So too does Morgan speak of a faith that when one “hopes and wants” something with sincerity, it finds its way — not through anxiety, but through alignment. The universe yields to the focused heart, not to the frantic mind.

This teaching has been echoed throughout history. Bruce Lee, the martial artist and philosopher, once said, “Don’t think. Feel.” His advice, like Morgan’s, was not a rejection of discipline or strategy, but a warning against paralysis by thought. Overthinking separates the mind from the body, while presence unites them. The great warriors, musicians, and thinkers of the past all discovered that the path to mastery is paved not with overanalysis, but with trust — trust in preparation, in intuition, in the mysterious harmony between human effort and divine timing.

Morgan’s final words — “When you hope for something and you want something, it comes to you” — speak of the law of intent and attraction, a truth as old as humanity itself. It does not mean that one should merely wish and wait; rather, it means that the heart, when set with pure intent, acts as a magnet for its own destiny. Hope becomes the compass, desire the spark, and consistent effort the path. The results come not through strain, but through alignment between will and purpose. When you act with love for what you do — when you lose yourself in the game, the work, the song — success ceases to be a pursuit and becomes a natural consequence.

From her words, we may draw a lesson of enduring power: focus on the craft, not the counting. Train with diligence, but release the obsession with results. Let your goals inspire you, not enslave you. Each day, enter your work or your art as a sacred act — present, open, and unafraid. When doubts arise, remember that numbers are but shadows of effort, and true fulfillment lies in the act itself. The harvest will come to those who sow with patience and faith.

So, take to heart the wisdom of Alex Morgan: “The more you think about goals and assists, the more you fall short. When you hope and want, it comes to you.” Live by this rhythm — desire without clinging, act without fear, trust without control. For life, like the game she plays, rewards those who play freely — those who honor their purpose, pour out their spirit, and then let go. In that letting go lies not defeat, but victory — the quiet triumph of one who has found harmony between effort and grace, between striving and serenity.