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Oprah Winfrey, Lakshmi Mittal, Phillip Green, Zhou Qunfei , Folorunsho Alakija, Liliane Bettencourt and Bill Gates are some of the names globally associated with financial wealth, great philanthropy and global influence. For all intents and purposes, they and others of their ilk are successful. These are people who have made ideas a reality or facilitated exponential growth on foundations already laid for them.
Based on interviews, published articles and their own gems of wisdom it’s fair to conclude that they are all acquainted with sacrifice – great sacrifice.
Being successful in business is as much an as much an art as it is a science in that you need to be creative and trust your gut instinct yet strategic and exact in how you function. Sir Isaac Newton developed the Three Laws of Motion which describe basic rules about how the motion of physical objects changes. Newton was able to define the integral relationship between the acceleration of an object and the total forces acting upon it. It also took years of thinking, experimenting and analysing to produce said laws.
Approximately 7,323,177,900 people occupy this planet (source: worldometers.info) and the figure rises daily. In order to achieve something, obtain anything, create a legacy or fulfil your ambition you must compete against many known and unknown forces simply to survive. Building a business is more than a hobby and it will take at least everything you’ve got.
Malcolm Gladwell speaks of the 10,000hrs of practice it takes to achieve mastery in your field. It will take you giving up something of value to get the tangible results you want for your life, business or project. Yes, businesses fail within the first 3 years and yes; globalisation takes its toll and yes; cash flow is challenging and yes; you desire more market share and yes; and yes; and yes. The bottom line is how much you really want to succeed in your field. Having a plan B may subliminally set you up to fail because you already have doubt in your mind and doubt manifests uncertainty which lowers self-esteem and creates negativity. I’m not suggesting you should be reckless or naive as to the potential pitfalls in any course of action. I’m not saying you should allow false pride to propel when there it is clear you are non-productive. I am suggesting that one must be aware of alternatives yet focus on the matter at hand. Fully focus. Engage in total immersion and be consumed with all it takes to birth and maintain your idea. There’s no need for a plan B because it takes away from the energy needed to totally commit to executing the plan/vision/project at hand.
There are no conflicts of interest when one’s priorities are clear. To pass an exam – one must study effectively. To build a business – one must develop and respect mutually beneficial relationships. To succeed – one must sacrifice. One ‘must’ because establishing a successful business or becoming a master in your field is a science. Science in that there are laws, rules and codes to apply in order to get certain results. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity so ‘luck’ only exists to the extent that you create it – the extent to which you strategically sacrifice for it.
You’ll miss a few social gatherings, special occasions and family events. Looking after your mind, body and soul may mean diet, lifestyle and thought process changes in pursuit of your plan. All the great things in our lives require us giving up something of value in return. You have to pay the cost to be the boss of your world.
You have a passion for and the potential to excel in what you do. Sacrifice is an integral part of your success. Enjoy the process.
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About the Author
Malik Muhammad was raised and educated in Jamaica, read law in London and the author of ‘Empower Yourself to Succeed’. He created The Empowerment Mastery System to influence, help and inspire businesses to cultivate their visions in a specific time frame. Malik enjoys vegan cooking and quad biking. He is an after-dinner speaker, event host and convenes empowerment seminars internationally. LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Website
