How do you go from where you are to where you wanna be? And I
How do you go from where you are to where you wanna be? And I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it.
When Jim Valvano asks, “How do you go from where you are to where you wanna be? And I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it,” he speaks as a teacher of courage, one who gazed upon the fleeting nature of existence and chose to leave behind a torch of wisdom. His words echo the timeless cry of the ancients: that man is not to drift like a leaf upon the river, but to move with purpose toward the shore of destiny.
The origin of this teaching lies in Valvano’s own journey, as both coach and man, whose life was marked by struggle, triumph, and the shadow of illness. Even as his body weakened, his spirit burned with fierce clarity. He knew that the distance between the present and the desired future is bridged not by chance but by passion, vision, and ceaseless labor. His exhortation became a legacy, urging all who listened to rise beyond despair and claim their calling.
To have enthusiasm for life is to awaken each day with fire in the heart, to greet challenges not as burdens but as opportunities. To have a dream is to see what is not yet visible, to envision a reality greater than the present. To set a goal is to give shape to that dream, marking the path upon which the soul must walk. Yet all these are empty without work, for only through labor, sacrifice, and persistence can vision be made flesh.
His words remind us that greatness is not accidental, but deliberate. Dreams without action are fantasies, and work without vision is toil without meaning. Valvano weaves the two together, declaring that purpose, passion, and perseverance form the holy triad that carries a person from the present moment to the summit of achievement.
Let the generations to come remember: the journey from where you are to where you long to be is built upon enthusiasm, guided by dreams, fixed upon goals, and sustained by relentless work. Jim Valvano’s voice still resounds as a clarion call — to live fully, to strive greatly, and to never surrender the will to pursue life’s highest purpose.
TDVe Loc Tu Dai
I agree with Jim Valvano’s point that achieving anything requires enthusiasm, goals, and hard work. But sometimes, the journey toward a goal can feel overwhelming. How do we break down big dreams into manageable steps without losing sight of the bigger picture? Also, can we stay focused on our dreams even if the world around us doesn’t seem to support them? How do we find the strength to keep going?
TRTuyen Rus
Valvano’s quote makes me think about the balance between ambition and reality. Having a dream is crucial, but how do we set realistic goals that are still challenging yet achievable? There’s often a fine line between pushing ourselves too hard and not pushing enough. How can we ensure that our enthusiasm doesn’t turn into burnout while still staying committed to our goals?
HNTran Hieu Ngan
I love the idea that enthusiasm and a dream are necessary to get where you want to be. But how do we keep that enthusiasm alive in the face of challenges? Sometimes, it feels like the road to achieving a goal is filled with more obstacles than rewards. How do we stay motivated when things aren’t going according to plan? Is it about sheer determination, or is it more about staying adaptable along the way?
SCShika Chan
Jim Valvano's quote really strikes a chord with me. It emphasizes that having a dream or a goal is just the beginning—without enthusiasm and the willingness to put in the hard work, it's difficult to move forward. But what happens when enthusiasm starts to fade? Can you still reach your goals if you lose that spark? I wonder if it's possible to maintain that drive over a long period of time, especially when facing setbacks.