Most people spend their lives standing at the edge of greatness, whispering “I wish” to the wind. But what if the only thing standing between you and a better world is a simple change in verb?
Charles Dickens once captured the essence of a purposeful life:
“The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’ Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.”
To be a difference maker, you must first bridge the gap between desire and declaration. An “I wish” is a passive longing—it lacks legs. An “I will” is a commitment to the universe that you are ready to be a force for good. When we look at the world’s problems—poverty, loneliness, or environmental decay—it is easy to feel small. But Dickens challenges us to flip the script on impossibility.
When you treat a possibility as a probability, your mindset shifts from “Can I?” to “How will I?” This isn’t just optimism; it’s a strategic takeover of your own potential. If you believe it is probable that you can feed ten families or mentor one child, you stop looking for excuses and start looking for a way.
You have the power to be the protagonist of a story that hasn’t been written yet. Stop waiting for the perfect moment. The world doesn’t need more wishers; it needs people who see a gap and decide, with absolute certainty, to fill it.
3 Ways to Apply This Today
- The Vocabulary Audit: Catch yourself saying “I wish I could help” and immediately rephrase it to “I will find a way to help.” Notice how the latter creates immediate momentum.
- Probability Mapping: Take one “impossible” goal and break it down into three small, probable steps. Focus only on the first step until it is complete.
- Daily Intentionality: Every morning, write down one specific “I will” statement that benefits someone else. It moves your focus from self-interest to communal impact.
“Whatever you do, do it with all your might.” — Charles Dickens