The Costly Path of Sacrifice

Reaching a goal often demands rigorous effort and sacrifice. Many autobiographies narrate tales of significant sacrifice undertaken to achieve a single objective.

Martin Luther King, Jr. aptly stated, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

But what goals are you setting that demand such considerable sacrifice? Numerous individuals sacrifice their leisure for extra work hours to secure their child’s education or to aid colleagues in critical projects. Some invest years honing their craft to be the best in their field or sacrifice personal relationships for the success of their business. The choices may even entail sacrificing peace for freedom.

However, the weight of sacrificing for goals should not be underestimated. The costs can be extreme and might overshadow the triumphs linked with achieving the goal.

Reflecting on my past business venture, I encountered this firsthand. As I pursued a goal, I toiled for years, making various sacrifices along the way. Eventually, the need for further sacrifices arose to sustain business growth.

In a conversation with a mentor renowned in my industry, he casually mentioned the sacrifices he made to reach the top. He regretfully confessed, “My kids barely know me now. But it was the sacrifice I had to make.”

This revelation was eye-opening. Sacrifice isn’t merely about forgoing leisure time or outworking others; sometimes, it involves sacrificing family relationships for fame and fortune.

I once attended a friend's extravagant birthday celebration on a multi-million-dollar yacht. The boat owner shared his journey, highlighting the sacrifices he made – a broken marriage, strained relationships, and years of compromised health – all in the pursuit of his success.

Reaching a juncture where sacrifices outweigh the rewards occurred several times in my life. It's crucial to discern what holds significance for you. Blindly pursuing a goal can lead to disastrous sacrifices that far exceed the rewards of reaching it.

Consider a case in Cleveland where a politician faced a lengthy prison sentence for crimes committed. His plea to the judge, “I did it all for my family,” portrays a willingness to cross legal boundaries for family well-being. Some are willing to compromise family or relationships in pursuit of their goals. Some are willing to break the law for their family. Some will try to justify their extreme actions this way, when they could have achieved their stated goal a more righteous way.

Understanding your values and what's essential to you is the only way to avoid making the wrong sacrifices. Sacrifice is often indispensable for success, but steadfastly adhering to your values prevents making sacrifices that aren’t worth the cost.

As Joan of Arc rightly stated, “One life is all we have, live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.”