Pay the Price

As anyone who has read my stuff knows, I like to use sports examples when discussing key philosophies or principles. One thing you quickly learn in sports is that there is a price to be paid, a sacrifice to be made, if you wish to excel at it. There will be late nights, missed family time, missed meals, extra work, challenging situations, etc. Which is precisely why dedicated athletes oftentimes do so well in both school and work. You can't be a 9 to 5 athlete and expect to be successful in other words.

The same applies to your career. There are certain associates who show up and intentionally limit themselves to the basic duties required of their position and show up at 9 and leave precisely at 5. There is, truly, nothing wrong with that. However, if your intention and your desire is to be more than that, then you must recognize a price has to be paid, a sacrifice must be made. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

The question I always ask when someone expresses to me their intention or desire to be more than what they are, to have a higher title, to earn more compensation, etc., is "How far are you willing to go?" "How high a price are you willing to pay?"

My son told me a few months ago he didn't want to be good at baseball, but instead he wanted to be great. He expressed a desire to have me train him. I forewarned him time and time again what that would entail. He embraced it, verbally. Recently he quit. He wasn't willing to pay the price. Nothing wrong with that. It's important you know who you are. How many hills are you willing to run? How many ground balls are you willing to take? How many swings are you willing to make? The great one's run the hills. They put in the extra work. That is why they are special. It isn't just talent. It's talent plus commitment plus effort.

Too often you will encounter colleagues/associates who express a desire to be in a better position, to take on more responsibility, and earn more money. That is fine. How far are you willing to go? How high a price are you willing to pay? What are you willing to sacrifice? When asked, how quickly will you raise your hand and volunteer? Will you take on the extra assignments? How late are you willing to come home from work? How many evening functions are you willing to attend? How many boards or committees or task forces are you willing to serve on? If you are unwilling to go the extra mile, then you won't earn that title, that money, etc. There is a price to be paid to be that ONE person. There is only ONE President or CEO. There is only ONE head of a department. There is a reason for that. They are the best and willing to pay the highest price for success. You are not entitled to that role.

If, despite all your extra effort, you aren't getting recognized or compensated, then how far are you willing to go to change direction? Are you looking elsewhere? Are you interviewing? Are you networking?

YOU are responsible for your success. No one owes it to you. You must earn it. There is a price to be paid and a sacrifice to be made. To think otherwise is unrealistic. I can't guarantee that this will lead to success. However I can guarantee that not doing so will definitely not lead to success.