I thought about what I have sacrificed in my years of trying to see who I can become by chasing big goals and taking risks. Many times, while others were playing, I was working. Many times while others were entertaining themselves (with TV, Facebook, etc.), I was reading or studying. When others left all work-related cares behind as they walked out the door of their workplace at 5 pm, I was still carrying them as I walked out much later; and carried them all day and all night every day.
I guess you could call that sacrifice IF you valued leisure and entertainment more than you valued what I was doing. But most often, I didn’t.
Were there times when I wish I could be playing while I was obeying my inner disciplinarian and getting my work done? Sure. But my progress towards my larger goals was a greater reward for me than short-term leisure.
For the most part, it reminds me of a discussion about observing a master doing what he was born to do – you can not tell when he is working and when he is playing.
It’s only sacrificing if you expect to live like everyone else – doing what they do on the schedule most keep.
Great one post, thank you Larry! Just shared it with my family. The post is very aligned with 10X, 10X goals and 10X action from Grant Cardone’s book. Recently I ramped up my 10X and your post helps a lot! You definitely are prove that the 10X principle works. Keep on 10Xing!
“Winning is more fun than fun is fun.”
Sacrifice of pleasure is necessary if we are to ever get ahead. It’s amazing how in the beginning things can be very hard and trying but eventually that hard work with perseverance can pay off and then finally you do it for fun and get the reward of “what can I accomplish”
Thanks for all your encouragement over the years and going and showing the way!
Many (most?) people work so they can play. We “play” at work and make money at the same time! I’ve often thought that if workers were treated like sports players that the productivity and moral would go out of sight! I even thought playing cards would be cool to have so every worker would have his/her picture and stats on a playing card that matches their business or trade. How much more could we accomplish with a little friendly competition and an adoring fan base?
With the unexpected loss of my best friend, this topic has crossed my mind a lot lately and has really caused me to re-evaluate my priorities and motives. Barry was my age, 54, and he worked like a mad man to be successful, (which to him, meant being #1 in his field). Unfortunately, he never really got to see the full fruits of his labor and sacrifices, because of his untimely passing. This can happen to any of us. I have asked myself, “Why do we sacrifice joy, in our strive for success, like we are going to live forever?”
For each individual, they must determine what their definition of, “goals”, “success” or “accomplishment” to be. For instance, John Walton, (from the The Waltons tv show), will have a very different definition of success, than Wall Street’s Gordon Gecko.
In the end, who do you think had the happier life? Whose life had more joy? Also, here is another thing to think on; would our loved ones closest to us, consider those same sacrifices and pursuits to be worthy? Maybe……. but only if you are one of the few that are blessed, (or lucky), to live long enough to actually get to enjoy that success. And, even some of those may no longer have anyone to share it with by the time they get there, due to their sacrifice. Those folks became part of the sacrifice.
I will say this; If someone’s pursuit of excellence, (and passions to be successful), coincide with their work life, then by all means, get after it and don’t let anything stand in your way!! You are a unique individual that is blessed to be in that perfect spot. Your “passions” and “goals” are your work.
However, moving forward, I will never sacrifice the joys or memories that I could make today, with the promises of riches or “success” tomorrow. For tomorrow is never promised and loved ones will never remember the sacrifices we made…..only the happy moments we brought to their life. Make as many as you can, because no one ever saves a picture of someone working.