While writing these lines I’m fighting the thought of giving in to some junk food or to stick with my self-imposed diet since I feel the need to lose some weight. The temptation is huge, but I’m constantly reminding myself to stick to the plan!
So I need to sacrifice this impulse so I can get a step closer to my goal. This made me wonder if sacrifice is always required. Think about whatever it is build in this world. Think about all the plans people have and what they are willing to do to follow them. Some concentrate more on their careers whilst ignoring their families, others do the opposite. Some make huge financial investments in random thing, others do in themselves. Some spend their money on immediate pleasure whilst others try to save up for their future. Some people “sacrifice” junk food whilst others sacrifice their health. Whatever people do, they don’t have everything they want.
Most of us have to choose. We can have either one thing or another. Sure, sometimes we can integrate the two so we can try to satisfy both things. We try to create a balance. The thing is that when a balance is it place, none of the two are extraordinary. Yes, a balance can make things great, but to have excellence, a sacrifice is required.
This is actually why I’m wondering if sacrifice is always required in order to achieve excellence. Think about top athletes. They train most of their time and because of that, they don’t have time for other activities, like playing around or going out with their friends. When excellence is achieved, things can change, but until that point, people need to decide what’s the most important for them.
Okay, I know that a sacrifice might not always seem a sacrifice for the person doing that, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t present. For me it’s like this: I choose immediate pleasures (because of my instincts) or I choose long term achievements. For me, there is no other way. I can discipline myself and invest my time now in order to have some results later on, or I don’t do it and obviously no results can come.
How is it for you? Is a form of sacrifice always required so you can get what you strongly want?