# If, Then

Source: https://www.theminimalists.com/if/
Published: 2011-12-01
Updated: 2024-06-12
Author: The Minimalists

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People concoct a myriad of excuses to explain their [bad decisions](https://theminimalists.com/mistakes):

If I had more money, I could be happy.\
 If I had better genes, I could lose weight.\
 If I had more time, I could [exercise](https://theminimalists.com/18min) more.\
 If I liked vegetables, I could eat healthier.\
 If I had gone to college, I could be [successful](https://theminimalists.com/success).

If this, then that. It’s the *if statement* that fails: such utterances are debilitating, self-fulfilling prophecies. They hold you back. The best thing to do is remove the *if* clause from your declarations, revealing your true potential:

I could be [happy](https://www.theminimalists.com/happier/).\
 I could lose weight.\
 I could exercise more.\
 I could eat healthier.\
 I could be successful.

Because *if* you wanted to, you could live a meaningful life.

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