I Want and I Will

People commonly use the statements “I want to do…” and “I will do…,” and depending how it is being used, each can hold a lot of meaning to the listener and speaker. The former statement refers to someone that wants to do something for someone or for himself, but has not set his mind to doing it. When he says it to someone or himself, he has decided on doing it at that present time, and what he wants to do may be completed at a later time. The person is “wanting” to do something, the “want” leaves room for failure, because he wants to do it but is not “willing” to do it. The time between when it was said and the possible completion of it is when the failure may occur. When the person does not fulfill his wants to himself or someone else, he may not feel as guilty (bad, shameful, regretful, sad, etc.) about it, because he did not say he “will” do it. The latter statement refers to someone that is willing to do something when it is said at the present time, and has set his mind to doing it in the future. The statement is a lot less flexible and leaves very little room for failure, because he is committed to doing what he said he was going to do and he is “willing” to do it instead of ‘wanting” to do it.

When comparing “I want” and “I will,” one is able to reflect on the difference between when one simply says, “I will do something for you” or “I will do this for myself” and when one says, ” I promise I will do this for you” or “I promise I will do this for myself.” When one promises something to herself or someone else, she makes a conscious decision to respect the pact that was made, and try her hardest not to fail.  When she only says she is going to do something, but with no promise, there is not a mental (or emotional) contract and the likelihood of the act happening is lessened. Promising in itself holds a lot more meaning than “I want” and “I will,” because it is a bond between two people (or more) or to oneself, it is held above both the former and the latter statements.

When you find yourself in a situation with others or yourself and one of the statements (or both) “I want” and “I will” have been used, take a moment to reflect on what was said (if what was said holds any importance); come to a conclusion on if the person is truly genuine with his words.