He had to choose between something he had Meaning Factcheck Usage

Meaning

It’s the fundamental tension between comfortable stagnation and uncertain growth. The safety of what you know versus the risk of what you truly desire.

Explanation

Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. This isn’t just a choice; it’s the archetypal choice. The “accustomed to” part? That’s the real trap. It’s not about something great, it’s about something familiar. Your brain wires itself to prefer that predictable, low-drama state, even if it’s mediocre. And the “wanted to have”? That’s your Personal Legend, as Coelho calls it. It’s the thing that calls to you but requires you to walk away from the shore, from the flock. The pain isn’t in the wanting—it’s in the choosing to leave what’s already in your hands.

Origin & Factcheck

This quote comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 1988 international bestseller, The Alchemist. It’s a core theme of the book, not a misattributed internet saying. The novel was first published in Brazil (‘O Alquimista’) and has since become one of the best-selling books in history.

Context

In the book, the shepherd boy Santiago is at a literal crossroads. He’s holding money that could either buy back his old flock of sheep—the familiar, comfortable life he knows—or fund his journey to Egypt to follow his dream and find a hidden treasure. This quote captures that exact, paralyzing moment of decision where his entire future hangs in the balance.

Usage Examples

You can lean on this idea in so many situations. I use it as a mental model.

• For a friend in a dead-end job: “I hear you. It’s that Coelho dilemma, right? The steady paycheck you’re accustomed to versus the startup you want to have.”
• In a team meeting about change: “Team, we’re facing a version of this. Do we stick with the process we’re accustomed to, or pivot to the new system we believe we want to have? Let’s name it.”
• Personal coaching: “When you’re stuck, ask yourself this question verbatim. Write down what you’re ‘accustomed to’ on one side, and what you ‘want to have’ on the other. The friction point is your growth edge.”

Common Questions

Question: Is this always about big, life-changing decisions?

Answer: Not at all. It scales down beautifully. It could be choosing between scrolling on your phone (accustomed to) and reading a book (want to have). The mechanism is the same.

Question: Which one is the “right” choice according to the book?

Answer: The Alchemist is a pretty clear argument for chasing your “want.” The whole book is about the universe conspiring to help you achieve your Personal Legend, but only if you have the courage to make that initial choice.

Question: Why is the “accustomed to” option so powerful?

Answer: It’s a powerful force because it’s tied to identity and loss aversion. We feel the pain of losing what we have more acutely than the pleasure of gaining something new. Letting go of the “accustomed” feels like a loss, even if it’s holding us back.