How Badly Do You Really Want It?

Re-reading Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount, am struck again by how much wisdom is packed into its pages. My copy is over-highlighted, with notes and comments scrawled in the margins. When I read, it’s an active process, and this book has consistently had me jotting new notes in what’s left of the margins, nodding in agreement, laughing out loud, and reflecting deeply on creating lasting behavioral changes that produce real results.

Blount asks three pivotal questions, which I’ll paraphrase: What do you want? How will you get it? And how badly do you really want it? Over time, I’ve found immense value in exploring the last question right after coaching clients articulate their goals.

The "Why" That Drives You

Once you’ve defined what you want, the next step is critical: understanding why it matters. Why is this goal so important that you’ll keep pursuing it on the bad days—the days when motivation wanes, frustration builds, or life feels a bit like a pressure cooker?

The truth is, if your purpose isn’t compelling enough to pull you forward during tough times, it’s worth rethinking. Ask yourself repeatedly, "Why is this important to me?" Pull on that thread until you reach the soft, gushy center—a connection that bridges head and heart. When you uncover this deeper reason, the game changes entirely.

The Power of Connection

Too often, we stop at surface-level answers. "I want to make more money." "I want a promotion." "I want to lose weight." But those reasons, while valid, rarely sustain us through challenges. It’s the emotional connection—the vision of what that money will provide, the impact of achieving that promotion, the confidence and health from physical fitness—that fuels enduring commitment.

Here’s how to deepen your connection to your goal:

Ask "Why" Until It Hurts: Keep digging until you find an answer that stirs you emotionally.
Visualize Success: Picture what achieving your goal looks and feels like. Make it vivid.
Write It Down: Document your goal and your "why" somewhere you can revisit when motivation fades.

Commit to the Process

Knowing what you want and why you want it is the foundation, but it’s only the beginning. How you’ll achieve it requires a clear plan and consistent effort. Yet even the best-laid plans falter if your commitment isn’t rock solid.

Ask yourself:

Am I prepared to do the hard, unglamorous work it takes to succeed?
Will I show up for myself even when it’s inconvenient?
Can I keep going when results aren’t immediate?

When the Game Changes

When you reach the point where your purpose connects head and heart, everything shifts. Goals become more than tasks to complete; they become missions tied to who you are and who you want to be. And when that connection exists, your drive is no longer dependent on fleeting motivation. It’s fueled by something much deeper.

How badly do you really want it? The answer lies in your "why." Take time to dig deep, connect emotionally, and build a plan that’s anchored in purpose. With clarity and commitment, you’ll not only achieve your goals but also transform the journey into something meaningful and enduring.