Nice-to-Have vs. Need-to-Have.

The Mental Civil War.

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Ever felt like you're putting in the work but not seeing real progress? The issue might not be effort, it might be misplaced priorities.

Life constantly presents us with choices, things we want and things we need. But one of the biggest mistakes we tend make is blurring the lines between the two.

A nice-to-have is something that adds comfort, convenience, or status. It’s good, but not essential. A need-to-have is foundational, it enables real progress and sustains growth.

This is the Danger of Misplaced Priorities:

Many times, we pursue nice-to-haves while neglecting what’s actually necessary. Think about it:

• We crave luxury before we’ve mastered stewardship.

• We seek recognition before we’ve built competence.

• We want shortcuts before we’ve earned results.

Here's how this plays out practically:

✅A high-end phone (nice-to-have) vs. financial discipline (need-to-have).

✅A leadership position (nice-to-have) vs. personal growth and skill (need-to-have).

✅A large community (nice-to-have) vs. a strong message and character (need-to-have).

Prioritizing desires (nice-to-haves) over essentials (need-to-haves) can lead to frustration and hinder personal growth.

Timing and Readiness Matter.

Equally important is how things enter our lives. Even good things can be destructive if they come at the wrong time or if we are not prepared for them.

My mentor puts it this way "The order by which things enter your life is as important as the things itself."

Before asking ‘what do I want?, ask ‘what do I need?

Before pursuing a dream lifestyle, focus on building the internal capacity to sustain it.

Success isn’t just about getting more, it’s about getting what matters first.

I hope this helps.

~EmmanuelOyebisi.