To desire something without also desiring the effort necessary to create or obtain it is indeed a wasted desire. To get something for nothing is to have nothing but an empty trinket.

The value of anything worth having is in the effort needed to obtain it. The thing itself can be eventually taken away, or it can be depleted, it can break or it can turn to rust. Yet the strength, the experience, the confidence, the wisdom you gain from the effort will always be with you.

When you sincerely look at the things you desire, you'll see that you don't desire those things at all. You desire to be the person who can obtain and maintain those things. As such, it is best to focus not only on the objectives you desire, but also on the efforts which will make them a reality. That's where the real value is.