“Where there’s a will, there’s a way ” is one of the most shared positive phrases of recent times, which aims to empower us and encourage us to pursue our dreams. A direct result of the notion of meritocracy, it tells us that success is the exclusive product of individual effort.
The idea that “where there’s a will, there’s a way” tells us that we all have the same opportunities, so that our progress depends exclusively on the capabilities and hard work each one is willing to put in. Obviously, it’s an inspiring and fair idea that would work in an ideal world (but we don’t live in an ideal world).
Effort doesn’t always pay off – or at least not the way you expect it
If we look more deeply into this concept, we can discover that a series of myths swirl around it that actually conceal the structural inequalities and limitations inherent in the social, economic and cultural system in which we live.
This idea is fundamentally based on the myth that effort is always rewarded. Of course, there is no doubt that perseverance and hard work can bear fruit, but they do not always bring the desired results.
In this sense, Carl Jung thought that the idea of “where there’s a will, there’s a way” is not only a prejudice, but the superstition of modern man in general,” a mantra that we repeat to ourselves without questioning its validity and consequences.
In reality, this belief promotes a reductionist view of personal progress. By turning us into a kind of all-powerful gods who move the world with their will, it practically ignores the external factors that influence the development of each person and can help or limit their progress.
Therefore, although personal effort is a sine qua non condition for achieving success, it is not a guarantee of it. And thinking that everything is in our hands can lead us to a cycle of self-demand, recriminations, frustration and unhappiness.
The guilt and weight of failure
The idea that “where there’s a will, there’s a way” also conveys the terrible belief that people who “fail” do so because they haven’t tried hard enough. According to this principle of meritocracy, those who have not achieved success in life have faltered, either due to a lack of ability or a lack of will.
There is no doubt that sometimes, “he who wants does more than he who can,” as the Spanish proverb says, but we must also take into account the setbacks, obstacles and systemic barriers that life puts in our way and that often escape our control.
Research on belief in a just world, for example, has shown that we tend to think of the world as inherently fair and impartial. We look for a legitimate reason to explain bad things that happen so we can feel safe from them, which leads to rationalizing social inequalities and ultimately makes us more insensitive and indifferent.
In this regard, psychologist Melvin Lerner warned that “the belief in a just world can lead to devaluing those who have been victims of adverse circumstances, justifying their situation as deserved.” This approach blames those who fail to reach the standards of “success,” assuming that their failure is directly due to their lack of desire or effort, excluding from the equation all external events that limit their opportunities.
Zygmunt Bauman agreed with this reasoning, explaining that “liquid modernity dissolves the certainties of the past, creating an environment in which not everyone has the same capabilities or resources to face the challenges ” and alerted us to the difficult – and sometimes even impossible – mission of fighting individually against structural obstacles.
From willpower to reality
Where there’s a will, there’s a way – or at least not always and not in all cases. And being convinced otherwise minimizes the real difficulties and colossal challenges that the vast majority of people face in their lives.
Reality, as always, is much more complex than an optimistic slogan: wanting something and making an effort does not always guarantee that we can achieve it. In fact, the idea that “if you want it, you can” often leads us into a cycle of wasted efforts and frustration.
Of course, no one doubts that individual effort, dedication and self-discipline are crucial to achieving our goals. And even if we don’t achieve them, we’ve probably learned and grown along the way. However, we must also be aware that we don’t all start out with the same conditions and we don’t have the same opportunities. Even willpower isn’t an infinite resource.
Jung, for example, defined willpower as the “quantity of energy ” that the ego has “at its disposal.” He considered it to be “the principal guiding and controlling force in our mental life,” which enables us “to accomplish what we set out to do.” However, he also warned that in many circumstances the ego has very little energy available to support willpower.
Sometimes you also have to learn to let go of what cannot be and be able to pivot in another direction. Sometimes, it is better not to obsess – especially with the idea of “success” that has been sold to us. Sometimes, for our own well-being and mental balance, it is better to reckon with reality.
As Immanuel Kant wrote, “Man should strive to do his best, but external circumstances may limit his ability to achieve his goals.” His words may not be as fascinating as many motivational quotes you can read everywhere, but they are more realistic and pragmatic.
References:
Prieto, L. (2024) El que quiere, puede: mitos y verdades de la meritocracia. In: Dialektika.
Wilkins, V. M. & Wenger, J. B. (2014) Belief in a Just World and Attitudes Toward Affirmative Action. PSJ; 42(3): 325-343.
Lerner, M. J. & Miller, D. T. (1978) Just world research and the attribution process: Looking back and ahead. Psychological Bulletin;85(5): 1030–1051.
Lerner, M. J. & Simmons, C. H. (1966) Observer’s reaction to the «innocent victim»: Compassion or rejection? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; 4(2): 203–210.
Leave a Reply