"If you start by promising what you don't even have yet, you'll lose your desire to work towards getting it"

Making promises about things that we have not yet achieved often creates a false sense of accomplishment or entitlement. When someone assures others, or even themselves, that they will deliver something before possessing it, they risk diminishing the personal drive and motivation required to actually attain it. The commitment to achieve a goal should ideally arise from an internal desire to grow, learn, or improve. By preemptively promising a result, the natural process of striving and working toward the goal is undermined.

Anticipating reward or recognition for something not yet realized can create a dangerous illusion. The mind begins to act as though that success is already guaranteed, draining away some of the energy and determination needed for the real effort. Following through on ambitious plans or promises demands persistence and discipline; if the imaginary promise feels as rewarding as the actual achievement, complacency can set in. This may result in half-hearted attempts, overlooked steps, or ultimately abandoning the pursuit altogether.

Moreover, making empty promises tends to shift the focus from the process to the outcome. The journey of learning, evolving through experience, and gradually building up to one’s aspirations becomes secondary to simply appearing successful in the eyes of others. Ambition is most meaningful and sustainable when it emerges from authenticity, not merely for the approval or expectations of others. Letting ambitions circulate only at the level of words, rather than actions, dissipates the energy that could be used for creation.

The harsh reality is that talking about dreams is much easier than actualizing them. Verbal guarantees of future achievements can relieve the pressure of current inadequacy without addressing the real work that needs to be done. By resisting the urge to overpromise, individuals remain anchored in the discipline of daily effort, preserving their motivation and finally experiencing the genuine fulfillment that comes only from hard-won accomplishment.