things i don't understand: part 3

this week's thing i don't understand could probably be the overall topic of the blog, but i will keep it contained to one post. something i don't understand is why it can be so difficult for us to do the things we want. is it because we want something that is really difficult to attain or achieve? is it because deep down we don't really want those things? is it because it's often easier to not do what we think we want? for instance, it's arguably easier to order a number 1 at a fast food restaurant than it is to cook a healthy meal (this isn't a perfect example, i know, but you understand my point) and try to lose some weight. it's easier to stay in bed rather than rise an hour or two earlier than normal to go out for a jog. it's seemingly easier to forgo studying in the name of entertainment. it's easier to go to bed or watch a tv program rather than to call your special someone every night. i've heard it argued that the reason we don't do what we "want" is because we don't want it bad enough. the difference, it has been taught for years, between those who succeed in life and those that don't is action. those who succeed act. i don't think people fail to do what they want simply because of convenience. i ride my bike a good deal every week and i often find that i don't want to ride it at times. but, i ride anyway because i want (or claim to want) to get in shape. it might be that i simply find a way to make sure that i do something if i want it bad enough. yet, while i'm out riding i'm neglecting other things that i claim to want. i cannot do anything else while i'm riding. doing so would be foolish, unsafe, and would ultimately jeopardize my goal of getting in shape. in sum, i don't understand why it's so hard for us to do many of things we really want to do. we make excuses, we schedule other things, we go out of our way to do other/easier things that we want. the difficult things often get sacrificed in the name of something quicker, easier, more accessible. i think that's a shame. it's not enough to simply want to do something. if it's a priority, we should strive to make it happen.