You know, I’ve seen this Brian Tracy quote play out so many times. “Most people start off wanting to be rich, but they end up merely wishing they were rich.” It perfectly captures that gap between ambition and action. It’s the difference between a plan and a daydream.
Share Image Quote:At its core, this quote is about the fundamental shift from active pursuit to passive desire. It’s about the slow erosion of intent into a fantasy.
Let me break it down for you. “Wanting” is active. It’s a goal you’re actively working towards—you’re learning, you’re building, you’re taking calculated risks. You’re in the game. But “wishing”? Wishing is passive. It’s looking at a lottery ticket or scrolling through Zillow looking at mansions you can’t afford. It’s hoping for an external force to change your circumstances without you having to fundamentally change yourself or your habits. And that shift, from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat, is where most people’s financial dreams go to die. They trade the hard work of *becoming* for the easy comfort of *imagining*.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | action (112), ambition (7), money (27) |
| Literary Style | direct (414), reflective (255) |
| Emotion / Mood | provocative (175), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 74 (80) |
This is correctly attributed to Brian Tracy, the legendary self-development author and speaker. It comes straight from his 2001 book, “The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires,” which was published in the United States. You won’t find any credible evidence that this was said by anyone else first.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires (41) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |
| Quotation | Most people start off wanting to be rich, but they end up merely wishing they were rich |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN: 978-1-57675-198-5; Latest Edition: Revised 2019; Number of Pages: 96 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 20: Do Something Every Day, Approximate page 83 of 2019 edition |
In the book, this quote isn’t just an observation; it’s a call to action. Tracy uses it to introduce the idea that self-made wealth isn’t an accident. It’s the direct result of specific, learnable habits and a mindset of personal responsibility, which is the entire premise of his book.
I use this all the time. For instance, with a young entrepreneur who talks a big game but isn’t consistently putting in the work—I’ll say, “Hey, let’s make sure we’re *wanting* this, not just *wishing* for it.” It’s a gentle but powerful reality check. It’s also perfect for coaching sessions about personal finance. You can ask someone, “Is your financial plan based on *wanting* to build wealth through discipline, or are you just *wishing* your salary would magically increase?” It immediately clarifies their true position.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Observation (10) |
| Audiences | entrepreneurs (1006), investors (176), professionals (751), students (3111) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | financial literacy programs (11), goal achievement talks (1), motivational writing (240), wealth-building seminars (2) |
Question: What’s the biggest sign someone has shifted from wanting to wishing?
Answer: When their primary strategy involves luck or a “big break.” They talk about the lottery, a viral post, or a hypothetical inheritance. The wanter talks about their next strategic move.
Question: Can you get back to “wanting” after you’ve been “wishing” for a long time?
Answer: Absolutely. It starts with a single, definitive action. Open the investment account. Make the first sales call. Write the first page of the business plan. Action is the antidote to wishing.
Question: Is this only about money?
Answer: Not at all. This applies to health, relationships, skills—anything meaningful. People *want* to get fit but end up just *wishing* they looked like someone else, without ever hitting the gym.
People don’t want to be rich… they want to stop being controlled by money. It’s a subtle but powerful distinction that changes how you view wealth entirely. This isn’t about…
Most people never get wealthy because they’re not trained to spot the opportunities that are literally everywhere. It’s not about luck, it’s about a specific kind of vision that you…
You know, I’ve seen this play out so many times. No man can become rich without enriching others. It’s not just feel-good advice; it’s the fundamental law of value exchange…
You know, I’ve always been struck by that line, “Some people are so poor…” It’s one of those quotes that hits you differently the more you think about it. It…
You know, I’ve seen this idea play out so many times in business and life. Those who give freely to others are always rich, not just in money, but in…
You know, when Kiyosaki said, “In the Information Age, the most valuable asset you can…
You know, "The richest people in the world look for and build networks" isn't just…
Your days are your life in miniature is one of those simple but profound truths…
Discipline is built by consistently doing small things well is one of those simple but…
You know, the more you take care of yourself isn't about being selfish. It's the…
You know, that idea that "There are no mistakes, only lessons" completely reframes how we…
This website uses cookies.
Read More