🧭 The One Critical Question That Determines Your Success

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Mitch Albom on Sacrifice

• The One Critical Question to Ask Yourself

• Favorite Posts I Found This Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

The One Question To Ask Yourself

Many people chase dreams and ambitions without pausing to ask themselves one key question: “What is the price I am willing to pay for this?”

Understanding the cost of success involves more than just desire; it requires a clear recognition of the sacrifices involved and a commitment to endure them.

Why this question matters so much: Knowing the price you’re willing to pay ensures that goals align with personal values and resilience. It prevents burnout and regret, grounding you in the reality that all achievements come with trade-offs. The famous quote is, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”

So what does sacrifice really mean?

1. It means prioritization and focus - When you sacrifice something, you are determining what truly matters to you because you are choosing to focus. By focusing on what's important, you learn to manage time and resources more effectively. This leads to increased productivity and the ability to achieve more with less. Making one big decision makes smaller decisions much easier.

2. It means commitment and choosing to go all-in - When you sacrifice something, you move forward with full commitment. That singleness of purpose ensures dedication, determination, and perseverance. This level of commitment breeds a deep sense of responsibility and accountability, which is crucial for personal and professional growth.

3. It means accepting the cost you’re willing to pay for achievement - When you sacrifice, you are acknowledging that success comes at a cost. You understand what price you are willing to pay and put a realistic perspective on goal attainment. Making sacrifices shows commitment to know what it takes and still go after it. It prepares you for the inevitable trade-offs required for success, ensuring you value and make the most of your achievements.

Listen to 3 of the greats talk about the costs of success:

1. Michael Jordan on the price of winning:

2. Kirby Smart on the costs of leadership:

3. Steve Jobs on the power of passion and resilience:

As you heard, true sacrifice is a deliberate act. It shapes your character and tests your willpower. Understanding the cost of what you’re willing to pay takes self-awareness.

• When you willingly give up something valuable to pursue a greater goal, you reinforce your commitment and send a powerful message to yourself - that the pursuit is worth the price.

• This conscious choice transforms your journey from a series of actions into a purposeful quest

• It is a mindful acknowledgment that there will be trade-offs in life and an acceptance of the sacrifices required to achieve significant goals.

Sacrifice is an inevitable part of daily life; choosing what to sacrifice is crucial.

What are some other thoughts on sacrifice in a team and personal setting?

1. Sacrifice means putting the team needs above your own - Prioritizing team goals over personal interests builds unity. It takes selflessness and removes your ego from overcoming team aspirations. A great team isn't made up of individuals seeking personal glory, but rather of people who trust each other enough to work towards a common goal. This type of sacrifice builds trust, collaboration, and leads to better performance.

2. Sacrifice means choosing hard work over convenience - Great things come from hard work. When you choose hard work, you sacrifice other activities and choose to want more than just being average. Opting for hard work instills discipline and strengthens your character. These are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving long-term goals.

3. Sacrifice means choosing resilience and grit - Success is built through an adaptable mindset and strategies to be resilient. When you sacrifice something, you are choosing resilience in the face of adversity. You are building the muscle of mental toughness. Sacrifice means choosing the ability to endure, pushing through discomfort, and bouncing back from setbacks, a skill vital for success in any endeavor.

So what can you take away from this?

1. Acknowledge the price you are willing to pay and consistently evaluate that cost – Recognize that sacrifice is not a setback but a necessary step to reach greater achievements. Understanding your limits and evaluating whether you are still committed to paying the price ensures that you stay aligned with your goals and prevent burnout.

2. Be clear about what you are willing to sacrifice – Knowing the sacrifices you are prepared to make provides clarity, making it easier to make tough decisions without second-guessing.

3. Focus on your priority, not multiple priorities – We will do a deeper dive into this topic in a future newsletter, but you can’t have multiple priorities so focus on what matters. Concentrating on a singular, most important goal allows you to channel your energy more effectively and achieve meaningful progress.

Favorite Posts I Found This Week

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