Would you like it? or, do you want it?

(Bill) I've been dying to write this post for a few days but kept telling myself that I shouldn't include my young philosophical rants in this blog.  Needless to say, I redefined the rules of what I will include.

Would you like it? or, do you want it?  These are very important questions and they are far from similar, at least in my mind.

Let me give you an example of the uses of these questions and then I will be more direct with my definition of each.

If I ask you: Would you like to be a millionaire? You would probably say yes.  Heck, most people would.

Now let me ask you this: Do you want to be a millionaire? [Yes, no, maybe]

What's the difference between these questions?  Most people might say: "nothing!".  To me, these two questions are like night and day.  Most everyone would like to be wealthier, better looking, more satisfied in a relationship, whatever.  But this is little more than a hope or an empty dream.  There is no intention or action to pursue these things, which distinguishes it from a burning desire, or want.

Do you want to be wealthier? Yes? Then do it.  Be wealthier.  Whether this is in terms of money or love or affection, you have the ability to change and pursue it.  You are the master of your own reality.  If you want to be President one day, then take action and start preparing your life to fulfill this want and accomplish this goal.

If you tell me you would like to be driving a nicer car that means little to nothing to me.  I don't care what you would like to have or do.  It's almost meaningless to say it.  But if you tell me that you want to be driving a nicer car, then you'd better figure out a way to do it.  Go into debt, steal the car, get another job, play the lotto, anything!  Just do something if you really want it.  Of course some paths are smarter than others.  If you don't put in any effort to fulfilling this want, these desires, then you do not truly want it.  Change your mind and say to yourself, "Silly me, I would only like to..."

To be clear: to want something means that you are truly committing yourself to fulfilling your desire.  If you would like to have or do something, means that you are expressing something that would be nice to have but it's not great enough to motivate you into action.

So the next time you say to yourself: "I would like to have/do..." or, "I want...".  Ask, "Do I really want this, or would I like it?".  Then make up your mind.

Disclaimer: Neither decision is necessarily good or bad.  I won't criticize you if you do not want to be a millionaire, that's completely fine.  If you want it, pursue it.  Make a serious commitment to fulfill your want, otherwise stop wasting time and energy thinking about it because it will never come true unless you commit yourself to it.