The Cost You're Willing to Pay.

Applause rained around the auditorium as Daniel walked offstage to where I waited in the wings.

Signature Talk? Check. Speaker fee? An even bigger check. Twenty-five large read the dollar amount, an impressive hourly rate to say the least.

The stagehand removed Daniel's lapel pack and Daniel and I walked down the corridor toward the green room when a single word stopped the moment.

"Oof."

Caught off guard, I dug for more context, "What's wrong? You just crushed it with that crowd. Why the oof?"

"Because Carter's sixth birthday party started about 15 minutes ago. I'd love to be there right now, but I couldn't say no to this. Jon, this was an incredible opportunity... I guess that's the price of being on the road all the time as a speaker."

We worked on that Signature Talk for four months. Writing, recording, watching 'game film' of Daniel giving his talk in front of an empty auditorium, and making adjustments - these are all part of our Signature Talk buildout process.

I knew his son was turning six soon, but I didn't know Carter's party was that day.

As a then-brand-new dad myself, that exchange taught me there is a cost for arriving at your next level of 'success'.

Whether you're a coach, consultant, or advisor, reaching your dreams with your business will cost you.

And it will rarely be just a financial cost.

If you build an eight-figure-plus consulting firm but end up in divorce court, a recovery program, or on the razor's edge of self-harm, that's not a success.

If you land world-renowned stages like Daniel with $25k payouts but your kids don't see you at any of their birthday parties, sports games, recitals, or graduations, that's not a success.

The good news? I believe in few, if any absolute costs when it comes to building your business.

You don't have to be bleeding out of your eyeballs working 22+ hours a day while your relationships, health, sanity, and peace grind down to the bone.

You can receive a significant payout as a speaker while your child watches from offstage. You can turn that same speaking trip into a Daddy-Daughter getaway to make incredible memories.

You can enjoy meals with your family at reasonable hours. No, you may not reach a bajillion in top-line revenue, but you will be wealthy in your relationships.

You can stay happily married by fostering healthy communication and connection with your spouse when you're not at home.

The cost is different for everyone.

Over the past ten years, I've turned down multiple seven-figure opportunities because the price tag was my integrity. It's not worth it.

I have four kids, and my wife and I are still head-over-heels in love. They're all asleep by 10:00 at night. When I need to work more, I'll often work from 10:00 to midnight. Sleep is an intentional sacrifice, but I'm not missing mealtimes with them.

I'm willing to pay the price of sleep. Missing more than a handful of meals with my wife and kids isn't the right cost for me, at least not at this time.

Whatever your next business decision is - speaking, client work, a trip, an investor pitch - ask yourself, "What will this cost me beyond the money, relationally, physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually, or in terms of integrity? Is that a cost I'm willing to pay?"

Your next level of success will be sweeter, more peaceful, and easier to enjoy when you know what you're paying is worth the cost.

Not long after that conversation, Daniel and I worked to shift his speaking business. He switched to a different approach, stopped traveling as much, and is making almost the same amount.

Most importantly, he's home with Carter more, and those are the memories and moments he doesn't have to pay ever again.

You may be wondering what your next level of success will cost you. It's easier than ever to bespoke your personal investments between time, money, connections, sweat equity, resources, technology, and a host of other levers.

What will it take to get where you want to go? And what are other creative ways to create the future you want in your life and business without paying the wrong costs?

Is that the cost you're willing to pay?