Wish - The Beginning of Happiness
What is a Wish?
A Wish is a personal mission — something that makes you feel alive, curious, or bold. It's not about fixing yourself. It's about becoming more of who you want to be.
"Your wish is not what you want to escape — it's what you want to create."
Unlike goals, wishes are emotional, open-ended, and flexible. They grow as you grow.
How to Create an Effective Wish
A Wish has three parts:
Title
What you want, in positive language
Reason
Why it excites or matters to you
Image
Something that triggers the right emotion
1. Title — Name it with Energy
Your wish title should pull you forward, not remind you of what's wrong. Think "Do", "Become", "Dare", "Create", "Feel", "Start", "Enjoy" — words that carry movement.
| ❌ Weak / Problem-Based | ✅ Strong / Positive-Identity |
|---|---|
| Overcome fear of swimming | Dare to Swim |
| Stop being shy | Speak with Ease |
| Learn English | Enjoy Talking in English |
| Lose weight | Feel Light and Active |
| Stop procrastinating | Finish What I Start |
| Be more confident | Own My Presence |
| Control anger | Stay Calm Under Fire |
2. Reason: A Short Story Behind Your Wish
A reason doesn't always have to sound serious or wise. Make it enticing, not perfect. In Atomic Habits, motivation works best when it's emotionally charged and personally rewarding, not moral or idealistic.
People don't change because of perfect logic. They change because of attractive emotion.
💫 For Deep Feelers
If you often find yourself thinking about "why you are the way you are," this is your space.
- "I want to control my anger because I've seen it ruin love once — and I never want to be that person again."
- "I want to write a book because it's my way of saying the things I never dared to tell anyone."
- "I want to learn Japanese because it reminds me of peace, politeness, and beauty in every small thing."
😄 For Light-Hearted Explorers
Not every reason has to make you cry — some can make you laugh, blush, or grin like an idiot.
- "I want to dare to swim because I'm tired of being the 'bag guard' at the beach."
- "I want to quit junk food because my jeans don't agree with my decisions anymore."
- "I want to own my presence because my friends keep forgetting I'm in the group chat."
🔒 Your Private Zone
This app is a safe space for your most personal thoughts. Your data stays on your device — not shared, not analyzed.
Simple, Direct, and Effective
You don't need to be a writer to express your reason. Keep it simple, real, and close to your heart. Sometimes you'll have many reasons — always put the one that shakes you the most at the top.
3. 🌄 Image — Your Emotional Anchor
A book can't be judged by its cover — but the cover can tempt you to open it once.
💫 Why Image Matters
When you attach an image to a wish, you're not decorating it — you're anchoring it to a feeling. Your brain doesn't remember goals. It remembers emotions.
How to Choose the Right Image
Choose an image that connects you to a personal story — an incident, conversation, or turning point.
| Wish | Possible Image | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Dare to Swim | First day at pool with daughter | Triggers courage and joy |
| Write a Book | Emotional scene from favorite movie | Connects to the dream moment |
| Feel Light and Active | Old photo where you looked happiest | Reminds you of energy you want back |
"If it gives you goosebumps, a smile, or a small ache in your heart — it's perfect."
Movements — Steps That Turn Dreams Into Reality
A movement is a moment you moved forward — emotionally, mentally, or practically — toward your wish. It's not a to-do list. It's a diary of proof that you're becoming the person who deserves that wish.
✍️ How to Write a Movement
When adding a movement, answer three short prompts:
1. What happened?
Describe a small real incident or action — no matter how small.
2. How did it feel?
Capture the emotion, hesitation, courage, or realization.
3. What changed?
Note what this moment added to your confidence or skill.
Example: Wish — "Dare to Swim"
Movement 1
What happened: I stood near the pool for 10 minutes just watching others swim.
How did it feel: My heart was racing, but I didn't run away this time.
What changed: Fear turned into curiosity. I wanted to learn, not hide.
Movement 2
What happened: I dipped my feet in water for the first time in years.
How did it feel: A mix of fear and pride — but it felt good to stay there.
What changed: My body began to accept the feeling of water.
Movement 3
What happened: My friend held my hand as I floated for 5 seconds.
How did it feel: Terrifying at first, then freeing.
What changed: I realized my body wants to float; I just need to trust it.
Movement 4
What happened: Today I swam half the pool without support.
How did it feel: Like I've entered a new version of myself.
What changed: I now identify as someone who can swim — not someone who's afraid.
💡 More Examples
Wish: "Speak with Ease"
| Movement | Purpose | Possible Win |
|---|---|---|
| Smile and say "Hi" to a stranger | Reduce social hesitation | "Said hi to the guard today — felt good." |
| Record 10-sec self-talk video | Desensitize to your own voice | "Cringed less this time — improvement!" |
| Join one group chat | Practice low-stakes speaking | "Typed my thoughts once — no one judged." |
Adding Date & Image
Date: Mark the day (or period) when it happened. It doesn't have to be exact — real progress often unfolds over time.
Movement Image: Add a picture that emotionally connects with that memory — your first attempt, a certificate, a trophy, or even a simple photo capturing how you felt in that moment.
Each image you attach becomes a bookmark in your journey — proof that effort leaves a trace, and that you are already becoming the person you wished to be.
Wins — The Art of Remembering Progress
Every wish begins with hope — but it grows through evidence. Each time you take a step, no matter how small, you are collecting proof that you're becoming the person you wanted to be.
"Every small win is a vote for your future self." — Atomic Habits
🎯 What is a Win?
A Win is any moment that gives you a sense of "Yes, I did something that matters."
It can be:
- Something you completed
- Something you tried for the first time
- Something you understood about yourself
- Or even a moment you handled better than before
💡 Examples of Wins
| Wish | Win Example | Why It's a Real Win |
|---|---|---|
| Dare to Swim | "I dipped my feet in the water today." | You faced the edge — that's courage in action. |
| Speak with Ease | "I joined a group chat and shared my view." | You expressed yourself — progress toward confidence. |
| Feel Light and Active | "Took stairs instead of lift." | You acted like the person you're becoming. |
| Finish My Book | "Wrote just 150 words, but didn't skip today." | Momentum beats perfection. |
Wins Beyond Wishes
A win isn't always tied to a wish. Sometimes, life quietly rewards your past efforts in unexpected ways.
- Appreciation from a colleague on their last day
- Getting selected for a role you applied for
- Finding a good mentor or coach
- Making a true friend
- Support from parents when you needed it most
- Overcoming hesitation and taking the first step
- Pure luck when things fell into place
- Living without financial pressure
🌸 Wabi-Sabi Wisdom
Not every day will be shiny. Some days will just be effort. That's okay.
Wabi Sabi teaches: Even the cracks are part of the beauty.
A "Win" can be:
- "Didn't quit today."
- "Showed up even when I didn't feel like it."
- "Rested without guilt."
💫 Why Recording Wins Works
1. Reward Prediction
When your brain sees a "recorded win," it releases dopamine — not for the result, but for the recognition of effort. That small pleasure becomes your new motivation loop.
2. Shifting Identity
Each win is a micro-proof of who you're becoming. Over time, these notes quietly rewire your self-image from "I'm trying" to "I'm the kind of person who does this."
3. Resilience Memory
When you feel stuck, scrolling through your old wins reminds you that you've been here before — and you've moved forward every time.
"You'll start believing in yourself not because someone said so, but because your own story says so."
Connection to Your Why
Your "Wins" are moments when your Why takes shape in the real world. They show you which wishes truly matter — the ones that keep pulling you forward even on tough days.
"Wishes show you the dream. Wins prove you're walking toward it."
The Power of "Why"
What is a "Why"?
Your Why is the emotional compass — It helps you focus on wishes that truly matter and filter out distractions. It's not about success, status, or achievement. It's about what gives your actions meaning and your life direction.
When you know your Why, you can ask yourself: "Does this wish align with what I value most?" This simple question saves you from chasing things that don't fulfill you.
❌ WHY is NOT:
- What career to choose
- What project to build
- Specific goals or achievements
✅ WHY IS:
- The consistent pattern in how you create impact
- What you naturally bring to others
- Your core contribution to the world
Inspired by the book "Find Your Why"
Why Your "Why" is Important
Feeling satisfied is often more powerful than feeling happy for a moment. You may feel happy when you hold a trophy or see your name in the newspaper. But if that trophy was earned through bribing judges — would you still feel satisfied?
- Feel content, grounded, and sure of your direction
- Choose the right path — career, habits, priorities
- Spend less time overthinking decisions
- Stay steady when motivation fades
- Filter dozens of ideas to find what truly resonates
🪞 How to Discover Your Why
"Your WHY already exists — it's not invented, it's discovered." — Find Your Why
You uncover your WHY by looking at real stories and patterns from your life — especially those where you felt proud, energized, or connected.
The "To … So That …" Framework
To…
Your contribution — what you bring to others.
Ask yourself:
• What do I naturally do for others?
• How do I help, support, or guide people?
So that…
Your impact — what changes because of you.
Ask yourself:
• Why does what I do matter?
• How does it make others' lives better?
Why the Focus Is on Others
At first, it might feel strange — "Why should I think about others? My life is my own." But when you look deeper, you'll realize: everything you do connects back to others.
- You earn money to support, gift, or help others
- You wish for a good body to impress or inspire someone
- You build products to solve others' problems
- Your dreams become meaningful only when others are part of them
Example Why Statements
- To help others believe they are stronger than they think so that they can face life with confidence.
- To spark curiosity in children through playful learning so that they stay excited about discovering new ideas.
- To create accessible learning spaces so that every child gets a fair chance to grow.
- To turn pain into art so that others find healing through it.
- To bring calm and understanding so that people around me feel safe and valued.
How to Discover Yours
Keep refining the sentence until it feels true and inspiring to YOU.
1. Recall Emotional Moments
Think of 2–3 experiences that made you feel alive, grateful, or changed. These could be moments when you:
- Helped someone and felt proud
- Overcame fear or pain
- Created something that made you smile
- Stood up for what you believed in
2. Ask: "What Did This Moment Teach Me?"
In every strong memory, there's a hidden value — maybe courage, love, creativity, or honesty. Your Why usually points toward that core value.
Moment: "When I taught my little cousin to ride a cycle, I felt amazing."
Insight: "I love helping others feel confident."
→ Why: "To help people believe in their own strength."
3. Write Your Why in a Simple, Emotional Sentence
Make it personal, not perfect. Use words that emotionally click for you.
- "To live curiously and help others feel brave enough to try."
- "To turn pain into art and inspire healing in others."
- "To make people smile even in ordinary moments."
- "To keep learning and share what I learn."
- "To create things that outlive me."
Wish vs Why: How Your Why Filters Your Wishes
We can have many wishes, but usually only one core Why.
A Wish
Brings momentary happiness
Your Why
Brings lasting satisfaction
Not every wish deserves your energy. Your Why acts like a compass — if a wish doesn't align with it, it's just a distraction.
Does Your Wish Align?
| Wish | Why it fits or doesn't |
|---|---|
| "Buy a luxury car" | ❌ Doesn't fit with "To live simply and inspire peace." |
| "Learn to paint nature" | ✅ Fits with "To express beauty and calm." |
| "Become a YouTuber" | ✅ If your Why is "To share my voice and connect with people." |
| "Win every argument" | ❌ Doesn't fit with "To bring harmony and understanding." |
More Examples
If you feel your passion in teaching, your Why can be stated as:
- To spark curiosity in children through playful learning so that they stay excited about exploring new ideas.
- To create accessible learning spaces so that every child has a chance to learn, and I continue improving by learning with them.
- To help people recognize their inner strengths so that they feel confident and empowered to pursue their path.
🌙 Closing Thought
"Your Why is not what you do — it's what makes you come alive while doing it. When your wishes serve your Why, every step feels like growth, not effort."
Start Your Journey
Now that you understand Wishes, Movements, Wins, and Why — you're ready to begin documenting your growth story.
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