Have you ever thought about what it means when you say the words “I will”.

In simple terms you are declaring your choice to take action. But at a deeper level, you are expressing your inner power.

For many years, I always thought of power only in terms of the physical. If a person was powerful that meant they could use their muscles to move or change something.

During the past few months, I have come to understand that there is something even more powerful inside of us: willpower.

Animals can only focus on what is in front of them and react to the environment. Human beings can imagine something that doesn’t yet exist and create it.

Willpower is the human ability to focus on an unseen horizon and move towards it.

About six months ago, I set myself a new horizon. I wanted to become an inspirational speaker. I wanted to speak about topics that could offer people insights to live a better life.

Of course, I had no reason that I had to do this, it was purely because I had a passion for it. I already had a steady business and some decent success behind me. But something inside me kept telling me to go for it.

One day I started saying it out loud “I will become an inspirational speaker.”

At the time, this seemed ridiculous and almost egotistical. My self doubt and a few people in my life started to question what right I had to share inspirational ideas.

Despite this, I started to reach out to potential venues, asking for the chance to speak. I must have contacted over 50 before one person responded and said they would consider it. About a month after that, I had another person say they were willing to let me speak to their group for 15 minutes.

I took the chance, and spoke. At the time, I was using only willpower to keep going. 

After that first speech, I was re-energized and started contacting even more venues. Within another month, I had another speaking opportunity.

About two weeks ago, I was offered the chance to speak at an upcoming event which has been a dream venue of mine for years.

When this happened, I realized it was due to those two simple words ‘I will.’

Here’s what I have learned: when you channel your energy forward into a new project, a new challenge, or into overcoming an obstacle, the world will test you. It will throw unexpected complications in the way, create delays and hindrances that cause you to feel fear, frustration or futility.

Know that this is part of the process.

God, Fate, the Universe, or whatever you choose to call it, is testing your will and whether you intentions are true.

The only thing that will keep you going when you are tested is willpower.

But if you persist, if you keep pushing, the results will start to show.

No matter how audacious, how unrealistic, how ridiculous, the world will eventually step aside for the person who knows where they are going.

I am saying this to myself as much as to you: realize the power you wield when you use the words ‘I will.’