The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." – Ben Stein.

In these direct and thought-provoking words, Ben Stein distills the essence of success into a simple but often overlooked truth: clarity of purpose is the first step toward achieving any goal. Desire is the spark that ignites action, but without a clear sense of what we seek, we wander aimlessly, pulled in many directions, unsure of where we are headed. Deciding what you want is not merely a mental exercise; it is the foundation upon which all future actions rest. In the ancient world, this idea was deeply understood by those who sought to lead lives of virtue and purpose. Self-mastery, the cultivation of a clear vision, was seen as the first essential step in any great endeavor.

The ancient philosophers often spoke of the importance of vision and purpose in shaping a meaningful life. Aristotle, in his writings on ethics, emphasized that happiness (or eudaimonia) is achieved not through passive existence, but by living with intention and striving towards a defined good. For Aristotle, living a life of virtue was about making deliberate choices that aligned with a well-formed sense of purpose. Similarly, the Stoics, like Epictetus, understood that to live well, one must first decide what is truly important. Without clarity, the good life cannot be attained, for it is only through clear decisions that we align our actions with the life we wish to create.

Consider the life of Alexander the Great, who, from a young age, had a clear vision of greatness. His ambition to conquer the world was not born out of simple desire for power, but from a deep, formed purpose—a belief that his destiny was to unite the world. Every decision Alexander made, from military strategy to diplomacy, was guided by this singular purpose. Even as a young prince, he decided what he wanted: to leave a legacy and to reshape the world. His decisiveness is one of the reasons his empire expanded across continents, and why his name continues to echo through the halls of history. He knew what he wanted, and with clarity, he forged his path forward, often in the face of enormous challenges.

Similarly, Thomas Edison, whose name is synonymous with invention, embodied the importance of deciding what he wanted in life. Edison famously declared, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." His persistence was powered by a clear vision—to bring electric light to the world. He decided early on that he would solve this problem, and this commitment shaped his every action. When faced with failures and setbacks, Edison didn’t question his purpose. He kept going because he knew exactly what he was trying to achieve. The lesson here is clear: the clarity of decision often becomes the fuel that propels us through the inevitable obstacles of life.

Stein’s quote is not merely about desire; it’s about focus and commitment. Without a clear vision, our desires are like scattered seeds that never take root. The first step in getting what you want is to identify exactly what it is that you seek. Without this clarity, all of our efforts may be wasted, like wind-blown sails that carry a ship in many directions but never to its destination. Once we define our goal, we can begin to craft a strategy, take purposeful action, and align our choices with our desired outcomes. Success is not a matter of random luck but of deciding what we want and moving deliberately towards it.

The lesson here is one of introspection and commitment. To live a life of purpose, we must first decide, with full conviction, what we truly desire. We must take the time to reflect on what is meaningful, what is worth our effort, and what aligns with our values. Once we are clear about what we want, we can commit to the actions necessary to achieve it. This clarity empowers us to move forward with confidence, knowing that each step is part of a larger, meaningful journey.

In our own lives, let us ask ourselves: What do we truly want? What is our vision for the future? Whether it’s in our career, relationships, or personal growth, we must first decide what we are striving for. Clarity of purpose is the indispensable first step that leads to action, and only through decisive action will we begin to shape the life we desire. Let us not be swept along by the currents of life but instead chart our course, knowing where we want to go and how we intend to get there. Through clarity and commitment, we can build lives that are filled with meaning and purpose, just as the ancients taught us.