Be willing to do what it takes

You’ve set your goals, made your plans and are now ready 

to roll towards your dream. Are you really willing to do 

what it takes? Will you put everything on the line to 

achieve your dream or will you give up because in the end 

the sacrifice was too much?

This does not mean “anything” in the sense of unethical, 

illegal, or immoral action. It does, however, mean 

personal sacrifice. There are many examples of this 

principle to choose from. The winners are the ones who 

have sacrificed everything. 

When we see a "winner" we are looking at the culmination 

of years of sacrifice and effort. Lance Armstrong makes it

look easy to ride a bicycle up a mountain. Tiger Woods 

makes it look easy to shoot 9 under par. The Williams 

sisters make tennis look as simple as a game of pong.

The reality is that the Tiger Woods of this world gave up 

their youth to spend on the golf course. The Williams 

sisters gave up their childhood to play tennis. Tom Daley, 

the youngest competitor for Great Britain in the Beijing 

Olympics, spends all his free time working on his diving. 

He is giving up most of what the normal teenager 

entertains himself with. He is doing what it takes to 

become a world championship winning diver.

It’s easy to see this dedication in sports people. We see 

the results of their sacrifice. But there are many people 

who are as willing to do what it takes without having the 

fame and fortune that the sports world gives to its heroes. 

These are the successful people in all walks of life.

You might want to become a doctor. That means you will 

have to study very hard at school to ensure you gain the 

knowledge expected dispensed by the medical school. Once 

you finish medical school you can expect to work long 

hours during an internship, as you prove that you learned 

and have the myriad skills required to be a good doctor. 

What are you willing to sacrifice to attain this goal?

Your goal might be to become a manager in your company. 

This might involve studying in the evenings and working 

week-ends. Or you might want to get an MBA because you 

hope this will get you the promotion you are striving for. 

There will be times on your journey when you feel that 

your goal is not worth the sacrifices you making. What 

will stop you? What other commitments, distractions, and 

hurdles will you allow to get the better of you?

One reason people fail to achieve their goal, one thing 

they do not anticipate accurately is how effort and time 

it will take to make it happen. If you do not anticipate 

what you will have to give up to make it a reality, the 

sacrifices will be even more difficult to make.

If you want to achieve your goal then be prepared to do 

what it takes.