Shortly after writing my last blog post about riding the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a small business owner, I came across a quote from the great football coach Vince Lombardi that have given me great inspiration.
“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”
What really struck me about the quote was the second half about sacrificing the little things in life and paying the price for the things that are worthwhile.
I think I have always had a good dose of self-confidence. I was not short of determination and dedication because I was competitive. My desire to win — to be better than others — has led me to work hard and eventually to my BigLaw career, which I think was relatively successful. But I couldn’t sustain the drive because I realized that winning in itself is not something worthwhile.
As I am getting close (once again after the recent setback) to reach the “thing”, I hope – I know – it is worthwhile, at least worthwhile to me.
I have never felt so determined and dedicated. I know because for the very first time I am willing to sacrifice the little things in life. These little things – the comforts and splurges of life – are what I was working so hard to attain and what I had taken for granted. Before, I had made sacrifices – health, friendship and intellectual curiosity – so that I could obtain and retain these little things. Now, I am willing to forgo these little things, to downsize and tighten the belt, for the “thing” that is far less prestigious yet worth so much more to me.
Sacrifices are never easy. For me, the idea of embracing the sacrifice is actually far more difficult than the sacrifice itself. Once I made the mental decision to be open to making sacrifices, I realize that these little things I am sacrificing do not mean very much to me.
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