✨ Stop Wishing — Start Working: 3 Strategies to Make Your Goal a Reality
Do you have a goal you’ve been quietly wishing for…but it’s still just a wish? 🌟
We’ve all been there — hoping, praying, dreaming — but not actually moving forward.
This idea has been on my heart recently, especially after the passing of President Russell M. Nelson last week at the remarkable age of 101. What a life! Since 2018 he led with such love, always pointing us to the Savior and encouraging us to “do better and be better.”
One of his teachings has been echoing in my mind: he quoted Doctrine & Covenants 130:21 — “When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” Then he added, “In other words, you don’t wish for a blessing; you work for a blessing and you make it possible.”
💡 That line stopped me in my tracks. You don’t just wish…you work. And the Lord loves effort.
So how do we move from wishing to working — especially when self-doubt whispers, “You can’t do this”? Let’s talk about it.
📖 Limhi’s People: A Story of Gritty Faith
My scripture study this week took me to one of my favorite spots in the Book of Mormon — Mosiah 22. It tells the story of Limhi’s people, living in bondage to the Lamanites. Their day-to-day life was harsh and seemed hopeless. They were outnumbered, guarded around the clock, and fighting back wasn’t an option.
But here’s the remarkable part: they didn’t just sit there wishing the Lord would swoop in and rescue them. They kept praying and kept studying out ideas. The scripture says they worked to “deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites.” Eventually, they landed on a plan — prepare, strategize, act.
They gathered information. They came up with a way to get the guards drunk, slip out quietly in the night, and lead their entire community — men, women, children, livestock and all — to safety. And then came the miracle: after two days of pursuit, the Lamanites lost their tracks in the wilderness (Mosiah 22:16). A miracle! But one that met them after they had planned and acted.
This is gritty faith in action. They prayed. They prepared. They worked for the blessing of freedom.
😟 Why We Get Stuck
Our “bondage” today might not be guards and chains, but it can feel just as real — loneliness, anxiety about dating again, dreams we’ve shelved because they feel too late or too hard, financial stress, health struggles, painful relationships.
We often find ourselves wishing:
“I wish I felt confident walking into church alone.”
“I wish I could go on more dates.”
“I wish I could stop feeling stuck.”
We might even pray about these wishes…and yet nothing changes. Why?
Because the moment we decide to act, our brain offers up a whole buffet of excuses:
“I just can’t do that.”
“I don’t have time.”
“I should already be past this stage.”
“That’s just not possible for me.”
Sound familiar? 🙋♀️
Here’s what I’ve learned as a coach: most excuses boil down to self-doubt.
It’s rarely about time or know-how. Deep down we’re thinking, I’m not sure I can do this. I’m not sure I’m enough.
When we doubt ourselves, we stay passive. We keep wishing and hope God or fate will drop the blessing in our lap. But President Nelson’s counsel is clear: “You don’t wish for a blessing; you work for a blessing.” And yes — that work can feel uncomfortable when self-doubt is whispering.
🛠️ 3 Strategies to Move From Wishing → Working
Let’s tap into our “inner Limhi” and push past self-doubt. Here’s a simple, powerful process:
1️⃣ Spot the Wish
Ask yourself: What am I secretly hoping will just happen on its own?
Be brutally honest. Maybe it’s:
“I wish I could go on a date each week.”
“I actually like my life — I just wish I were more at peace being single.”
“I wish I had deeper friendships.”
“I wish I made more money.”
“I wish my body felt stronger.”
Whatever it is, write it down. Naming the wish is step one.
2️⃣ Listen for the Excuses
Next, grab a notebook and list every reason your brain gives you for why this wish isn’t possible. Don’t edit or judge — just dump it out:
“I don’t have time.”
“Dating apps are terrible.”
“Men aren’t interested in me.”
“I’m too old.”
“I’ve tried before and failed.”
“It’s too late for me.”
Don’t be mad at your brain. It’s trying to keep you safe from disappointment and discomfort. But safety often equals stuck.
3️⃣ Name the Real Block — and Move Anyway
Look at your list. Underneath nearly every excuse? Self-doubt.
Not lack of time or talent. Doubt.
Here’s the secret: self-confidence doesn’t arrive first. It grows after you act.
So choose one small, brave thing to do this week anyway, even while feeling self-doubt:
Send a message on a dating app.
Register for that singles event.
Invite friends for a girls’ night.
Skip buying the shoes and put that money in savings.
Walk into the gym and do leg day.
Every small action says to yourself: I can feel uncomfortable and still move forward. I can trust me.
🙏 Faith + Work = Miracles
Keep praying. Keep having faith in Jesus Christ. But also move your feet.
Heavenly Father and Jesus want to collaborate with you to create the life you’re capable of living. They won’t do the reps for you — that’s your part. Prayer invites God’s help; your work makes room for miracles.
Just like Limhi’s people, you can pray, plan, and act — and watch God magnify your effort.
💖 Final Encouragement
What’s the thing you’ve been quietly wishing for? Pause and name it.
Write down every excuse your brain offers. Notice how much of it is just self-doubt. Then pick one brave action — even a tiny one — and do it this week.
You don’t need perfect self-confidence. You only need enough courage to act while it still feels shaky. That’s how blessings — and goals — become reality. 💪✨