Unless you're born lucky or a prince, the road to success is filled with many obstacles. Success doesn't come overnight. Look at any successful person in this world, you'll see they all have worked hard. They have failed at times. But they did not give up. Not only does success require focus, continuity and patience, it also demands sacrifice.
Let's define success
Before we delve into the discussion, let's try to understand the meaning of success. The meaning of success differs from person to person. Some common examples include being wealthy, winning a title and running a profitable business.
“It's always sunny in Florida”
A common definition of success is being rich and famous. At least, this is what most of people think. If someone is rich and famous, we say, he or she is successful. We usually forget what it took for the successful people to be where they are.
Image credit: multiple online sourceWhat is your definition of success? Is it being rich and famous? Is it running a successful company? Is it having six-pack abs? Is it helping poor people and serving the community? Or is it just being happy? You must find what your meaning of success is.
Image credit: Internet
Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but we forget how much effort the neighbors have put in.
Forget security and comfort
On average, there are 168 hours in a week. Out of that, 56 hours go to sleep. That is one third of our time. We spend about 2.8 hours per day on leisure activities, including movies, sports and other activities. A report suggests that Americans spend 34 hours a week watching TV. Are you ready to sacrifice your sleep? Are you willing to cut down on your entertainment? Success may just demand that.
Image credit: multiple online sourceAre you willing to give up the security and comfort of a paycheck? I meet so many to-be-entrepreneurs with good jobs and have an idea but don't want to give up their salary and expect their startup to become an overnight success.
“It took me a while to realize I have to give up my high salary to focus on my startup”
Here is a perfect example from my own life. I have two friends. Both working as consultants were making more than $250K USD a year salary. One quit his job and started his own company. After struggling for the first couple of years, today he runs a $20 million company. My other friend did not want to take a risk and tried part-time without leaving his job and he is still working as a consultant. Personally, it took me a while to realize I need to give up my salary and focus on my startup.
It is very difficult. You may need to give up your income and focus on your startup. Focus is the key to success.
Can't have social life
If you want to be successful, you may not have time to hang out with friends and socialize. You might need to end some of your close friendships. You may not have a social life at all.
Image credit: Internet
“You may need to give up your social life”
Let's say, you have a startup. Your startup is like your baby now. Your baby needs full-time attention. If you're not dedicated and focused, your startup will not go far.
Must control your desires
Everyone has a different definition of success. For some, success means being rich. For some, success means being popular and for some it may just be getting in shape. At the end of the day, it comes to your passion and your desires. Are you passionate enough to overcome your desires?
“Are you passionate enough to overcome your desires?”
Do you want a 6-pack? Are you willing to spend hours at the gym while your friends are enjoying movies? Are you willing to give up all those yummy samosas and sweets?
Image credit: multiple online source
Yes, that's right! Success demands sacrifice.
Cheers!
Allen OneillPosted Jul 10, 2017, 5:06 AM
Well said....behind luck, is usually hard work!!
SubashPosted Sep 30, 2016, 8:13 AM
Good article your all articles induce me something i feel i am in right place
RajaPosted Jun 10, 2016, 7:34 AM
Excellent sir.Inspirational Tips....... :)
Gowtham RajamanickamPosted May 24, 2016, 1:18 AM
good
Thiruppathi RPosted May 23, 2016, 2:59 PM
Great THing...
Vivek KumarPosted Apr 19, 2016, 2:04 PM
Very inspirational article.
Gopiraju VallemPosted Apr 2, 2016, 2:11 AM
Good article.
Sthitaprajnya Debasis NayakPosted Jan 12, 2016, 2:39 AM
Thank u So Much For This Article....
Prashant sPosted Jul 12, 2015, 1:06 AM
Nice Inspirational article. Thank you.
Lakshmanan Sethu SankaranarayanPosted Jul 9, 2015, 2:29 PM
Excellent.All the best for your startups
Prakash TripathiPosted Jul 9, 2015, 6:45 AM
Nice compilation. Thnx
Akash NaginaPosted Jul 8, 2015, 7:45 AM
Very Nice article!!
Ramasagar PulidindiPosted Jul 7, 2015, 7:48 AM
Awesome with gud examples
Rajneesh RaiPosted Jul 1, 2015, 7:49 AM
Loved the article.. very inspirational..
Noor MohamedPosted Jun 29, 2015, 11:13 PM
Now, I am in Top Gear., Nice Article Sir.!
Dominique CejaPosted Jun 29, 2015, 2:06 PM
I love this article sir! I like the breakdown of hours within a week. Thank you
Anand ChakkaravarthiPosted Jun 29, 2015, 6:56 AM
FACT
Srikanth radharamPosted Jun 29, 2015, 5:42 AM
This is Very Nice Article.Thank you
RIZWAN MUGHALPosted Jun 29, 2015, 4:00 AM
Really a great article Thank you so much sir for motivating.
Khan Abrar AhmedPosted Jun 28, 2015, 6:20 AM
Nice One Sir
Lalit RaghavPosted Jun 28, 2015, 5:45 AM
Thanks Sir
Avirup BasuPosted Jun 28, 2015, 5:08 AM
Awesome sir, Extremely inspirational article. :)
Suthish NairPosted Jun 28, 2015, 2:06 AM
Yummy Samosa... .. good share..
Vipul MalhotraPosted Jun 27, 2015, 5:32 PM
just the right motivation that was needed..Thanks for writing
RakeshPosted Jun 27, 2015, 3:56 AM
Good one Sir
VINAY KUMAR GUPTAPosted Jun 26, 2015, 7:32 AM
Very nice and True this will happen with every one .Thanks for Motivating us thanks,thanksthanks,thanks,thanksthanks
Suresh MogudalaPosted Jun 26, 2015, 12:33 AM
Thanks to Mahesh Chand sir, you are motivated me really a lot by posting motivational articles.
Praveen KumarPosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:41 PM
It's so inspirational, one who is at the initial stage of 'Success' gets much inspired by it
Pankaj BajajPosted Jun 25, 2015, 7:33 AM
Great Article ..Thanks for keep motivating everybody..It's always new learning when read your article.
Sameer RajigarePosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:39 AM
Nice article...
Prasham SabadraPosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:26 AM
Thanks a lot again Sir! Very motivational article.
Jeetendra GundPosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:23 AM
awesome..
Akshay PhadkePosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:19 AM
Great Article Sir . Very Inspiring But very True in every sense . Everytime I read your article I feels motivated .
Upendra Pratap ShahiPosted Jun 25, 2015, 1:09 AM
very nice article sir...lesson- full meaning sir.....
Shakti Singh DulawatPosted Jun 25, 2015, 12:52 AM
Super
Jaipal ReddyPosted Jun 25, 2015, 12:51 AM
Simply Great. .
Nagaraj SPosted Jun 24, 2015, 11:56 PM
Hi Mahesh, your articles are awesome
Rizwan AliPosted Jun 24, 2015, 11:55 PM
very truthful..
Mahesh ChandPosted Jun 24, 2015, 11:45 PM
Thank you guys. Finally, I got it done. Took me a while.
Santhakumar MunuswamyPosted Jun 24, 2015, 11:25 PM
Thanks for sharing sir
Gopi ChandPosted Jun 24, 2015, 11:20 PM
Very interesting points sir