The Price Winners Pay

One of the commitments I made to myself was to always provide fresh new content for my readers. It's so easy to regurgitate previous articles and there's no doubt, you can read something numerous times and still get value from it.

But a promise is a promise, so even when it's tough to get going and I'd rather be curled up on the couch with my chenille blanket and cup of tea, I sit myself in front of the computer and don't leave until I've provided something that just might be of value to someone else.

What makes an Olympic athlete the best in the world is her commitment of tens of thousands of hours of practice, performance, learning and doing.

While her friends are enjoying the beach, parties and spending time with friends, the Olympian is pushing herself to become the best at her sport.

A successful home-based entrepreneur achieves success in the same way -- committing thousands of hours to mastering a particular skill or expertise on a subject, then developing the business and personal skills to turn that product or service into a profitable venture.

The common thread among top athletes, performers, authors, business leaders, etc. is the commitment to creating positive habits, consistency to purpose, and the strength to keep going even when it would feel so much better in the moment to be doing something else.

Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do and that sometimes includes unpleasant tasks, long hours, missed parties, and having to say no to things you really, really want at that moment.

Winners begin their journey with a distant picture of what they want to create and keep that picture in front of their minds as they take every step along the path.

Every decision to act is weighed against the end goal -- Will this take me further away from or bring me closer to my goal?

Winners take on the tough challenge of turning bad habits into good ones -- getting up earlier than they're accustomed to, learning to listen more and speak less, breaking the cycle of complaining or blaming, asking for help instead of trying to do it alone, acknowledging weaknesses and being open to learn.

Each time you take an action that is consistent with your vision, you strengthen your character. Each forward step gives you strength, confidence, increased wisdom and motivation that compounds like interest in a bank account.

Each accomplishment builds on another, bringing you closer and closer to your end goal.

How many times have you heard someone say, "He's so lucky! He has a big house and a nice car and goes on vacations five times a year. He must have been born with a horseshoe ..." (you know where)

What they don't know is he had to say no to his golf buddies for four years, didn't take his family on a holiday for five years and drove a 15-year old car until it spent more time in the shop than on the road.

There's a price to be paid to win and it's up to you to decide if you're willing to pay it. 

When you have the choice between a networking event in town or the season premiere of your favorite TV show, which one will bring you closer to your vision?

When you can dial in for a free training call with an industry expert that's 6 a.m. your time or stay in your warm, comfy bed, which option will bring you closer to your vision?

When you're at a social event and a prestigious businessman (someone you've been dying to meet) walks in, but you're shy and would rather look intrigued by the masterful way the pickle tray is arranged, which option will bring you closer to your vision?

Winners are uncomfortable, yet press through it. Winners deny themselves instant gratification. Winners do things that others won't.

Are you willing to pay the price? 

2008 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source