This quote has been stuck in my head for a long time, and I wish I had understood and applied it much earlier in my life. It is simple, but it feels as true as a law of physics. When I look back, most of the things I vaguely wished for never happened. But when I had specific goals and took specific steps toward them, the results were significantly better.

I see this constantly in education. Some students tell me they want to start a business or work for themselves. At first it sounds great, but in reality the goal is vague and unclear. According to the principle in the quote, life will not reward that level of vagueness.

Other students take a different approach. One student had the same dream, yet he already began building toward it. He researched business ideas that fit someone with limited money and limited skills. He realized he had a truck and enjoyed mechanical work, so he started flipping trailers from Facebook Marketplace. He used the profit from his first flip to buy a vending machine, and by graduation he was running several. He succeeded because he approached his goal with clarity and intentionality.

We now live in a world where being specific is extremely easy. ChatGPT allows anyone to research, plan, and develop detailed steps. You do not need to be an expert. You can simply explain who you are, what you want, what your limitations are, and what you need help accomplishing. For example, a student might say, “I wish I could go to college.” That is a vague wish and unlikely to happen. Compare that to a student who prompts ChatGPT: “I am a high school student in this area, and I want to study this major. Create specific steps for applying to college, completing financial aid, listing scholarships I qualify for, identifying housing options, and finding jobs I can work while in school.” The second student made a specific ask, not a wish.

Big vague goals can feel overwhelming and defeat you before you begin. Small specific steps are realistic and give you a much higher chance of success. If you have a vague goal you have been stuck on or failed at, I encourage you to get extremely specific. Start with the smallest steps you can control.

I have seen this principle in every part of my life. As a teacher, vague directions produced vague results. As a coach, I could not tell a player to shoot better or stop turning the ball over. I had to be specific about what needed to change. As an administrator, I cannot simply say “improve test scores” or “improve culture.” There must be clear steps. Even in my personal life, I cannot tell myself to be a better dad or husband and expect change. Specificity matters.

Faith becomes more complicated here, because Timothy Ferriss is describing how life works, not how God works. God does not punish vague prayers and reward specific prayers. Scripture shows that God responds to both, depending on His will, our heart, our situation, and His purpose.

We see this throughout Scripture.

In the Old Testament, Hannah prayed for something incredibly specific. She asked God for a son and promised to dedicate him to the Lord, and God granted her request (1 Samuel 1:10–20).

We also see God respond to vague prayer. When Israel worshiped the golden calf, Moses prayed a simple plea for God to spare the people. It was not detailed, but God answered it and showed mercy (Exodus 32:11–14).

The New Testament shows the same pattern. Bartimaeus prayed specifically when Jesus asked what he wanted. He said, “I want to see,” and Jesus healed him immediately (Mark 10:46–52).

God is not controlled by the level of detail in our prayers. However, we can still learn from the mindset behind specificity. When we say things like “I need to read my Bible more,” “I need to pray more,” “I need to stop sinning,” or “I need to serve others,” these are good desires and Scripture calls us to pursue them. The Bible equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We are told to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13), and to not let sin reign in our bodies (Romans 6:12–14).Yet these remain vague wishes unless they become intentional habits.

Thank God our salvation is not built on our level of discipline. We rest in Jesus who lived perfectly, finished the work, and defeated sin and death on our behalf (John 19:30). We do not read Scripture or pray or serve to earn anything. We do them to draw closer to God, to live in the purpose He has given us, and to experience a life marked by joy, peace, and meaning. But just like everything else, vague spiritual desires must become specific steps.

Pray specifically for what you want to change. Ask the Holy Spirit to work through you if it is in God’s will. Scripture teaches that when we ask according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14–15).

Seek wisdom with everything you have. Proverbs teaches that wisdom is worth pursuing at any cost (Proverbs 4:7). Ask questions, study Scripture, learn from people with experience, and research thoroughly.

Build discipline and self control. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self control (2 Timothy 1:7). Combine the Spirit’s work in you with specific structures and habits that help you grow.

Fail, (I am good at this part) then get back up and try again. Your salvation does not depend on perfection. Growth takes time, and the more you practice the specific things you feel called to do, the less you fail over time.