Do you ever wonder why you’re never quite satisfied, even when you reach your goals?

They say to celebrate the small wins. But you have a really tough time doing so.

That nagging feeling isn’t a flaw — it’s the one innate trait we all share as humans.

Desire.

Desire drives our progress. It pushes humanity forward.

But too many people fall victim to desiring outcomes they don’t feel worthy of.

In today’s letter, I’ll break down the crucial steps to harnessing your desires to build the life of your dreams. (A step-by-step guide that can transform your life.)

The Desire Dilemma: Stuck in a Loop of Wanting More

We're wired to constantly compare ourselves to others, our past selves, and our imagined future selves.

This relative positioning fuels our desire for improvement.

But without proper guidance, it can leave us feeling inadequate and unsure of how to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be.

Take me, for instance.

At 29, I’ve checked all the conventional boxes of success – college degree, corporate job in marketing, even a recent promotion.

Yet, I can't shake the feeling that something's missing.

It's like I’ve climbed a ladder, only to realize it's leaning against the wrong wall.

I desire more respect, purpose, and fulfillment, but feel trapped in a system that values conformity over creativity.

The corporate world I once aspired to now feels like a cage, stifling my entrepreneurial spirit and leaving me questioning my potential impact on the world.

Do you relate?

This disconnect between our desires and our current reality is the root of frustration and unfulfillment.

An Experiment in Desiring More

Let’s say you give $1,000 per month to a group of people making $50K per year.

You also give $1,000 per month to a group of people making $1M per year.

Assume both groups have equal levels of happiness.

The low-earners will see a greater rise in happiness and progress because of their relative change in income, as compared to the high-earners.

The relative change in income for low-earners has a bigger impact than the absolute income of the high-earners because of the desire for improvement.

But over time, as the low-earners get used to their (now) $62K per year income, they’ll revert to their mean happiness and continue to desire more.

So what’s the problem?

Because we revert to our mean happiness and desire for more, we’re unsure how to harness those desires to build the life of our dreams.

So let me break down 5 crucial steps that helped me bridge the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing Your Desires

1. Recognize and Embrace Your Desires

The example above shows that relative change in income matters more than absolute income.

This is true for all desires, not just income.

So the first step in harnessing your desires is recognizing and embracing your innate human nature for always wanting more.

2. Identify Your Motivations

Treat your desires like a compass that’s pointing towards your authentic self.

Dig deep to understand why you want what you want. Is it freedom, impact, creativity, providing for your family, or something else?

This self-awareness will fuel your drive and help you stay focused.

3. Set Progressive Goals Aligned with Your Desires

With clarity about your motivations, create a series of progressive goals.

These should bridge the gap between your current reality and your ultimate dream life.

Remember, it isn't about overnight success, but consistent, purposeful growth.

4. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Successful entrepreneurs constantly evolve, seeing each challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Stay curious, remain open to new ideas, and never stop learning.

5. Develop Systems to Turn Desires into Action

This is where the rubber meets the road.

Explore systems like the 1-person business or online solopreneurship as potential paths to independence.

Create daily routines and habits that move you closer to your dream life.

When you’re ready, here’s how I can help.

Mindset Jujitsu.

As always, I love to chat with you guys! Reply back to this email or DM me on X (@markfrommktg) with any questions, feedback, or to simply kick it.

Thanks for being here.

Talk soon,

Mark