Joe Jackson sings a song I just love, “You Can’t Get What You Want Till You Know What You Want.” The intent of the song is simple, if you want something to happen in your life the chances that that event or experience will occur rise dramatically IF you identify to yourself and others what that is. That sound like “common sense” to you but it isn’t. Most people act like others know what they want when in fact they don’t. And more importantly most people don’t take the time to identify what exactly they need or want. And thus what happens is that at the end of the day we don’t know exactly what we want but there is this nagging feeling that we did not achieve what it is we wanted to achieve.
One of the ways to end your day with a feeling of satisfaction and joy that you “got what you wanted” is to know what you want. Do you know what you want? Do you let others know? It’s surprising to many that others can play a significant role in helping us live our dreams, but others can’t do this unless they are aware.
You might think, “Wow that sounds selfish!” But it isn’t if at the same time you ask others what it is they want so you can help them with their wants. I try very hard to identify and know the wants of others, and where I find these are healthy and life-giving I try my best to help others “get what they want.”
Joe Jackson is right. You Can’t Get What You Want Till You Know What You Want.
Sometimes you start feelin' so lost and lonely
Then you'll find it's all been in your mind
Sometimes you think someone is the one and only
Can't you see, it could be you and me?
But if there's any doubt
Then I think I'll leave it out
Cause I'll tell you one thing
You can't get what you want
Till you know what you want
Said you can't get what you want
Till you know what you want
Sometimes you keep busy reaching out for something
You don't care, there's always something there
Sometimes you can't see that all you need is one thing
If it's right, you could sleep at night
But it can take some time
But at least I'm here in line
Cause I'll tell you one thing
You can't get what you want
Till you know what you want
Said you can't get what you want
Till you know what you want
Sometimes you can't see that all you need is one thing
If it's right, you could sleep at night
But it can take some time
But at least I'm here in line
Cause I'll tell you one thing
You can't get what you want
Till you know what you want
Said you can't get what you want
Till you know what you want