How Bad Do You Want To Succeed?


Ask yourself, how bad do you want to succeed?

If you ask most people if they want to be successful, you will get an enthusiastic “Yes!” for an answer. But if you then ask them what they are willing to sacrifice, suffer, or give up for success, you will see that enthusiasm fade.  

Some people expect success to be instant and without effort. I call these people ‘dreamers’.

Some people are willing to invest just a little time and effort to become successful, but won’t go much further. They become comfortable and their “success thermostat” gets stuck on mediocrity.  They stall out. I call these people ‘comfortables’.

A very small minority are willing to give it their all. They don’t know or accept any limits. They don’t settle for less than what they demand of themselves. They are ready to do whatever it takes to reach them – because they want success so badly. I call these people ‘demanders’.

You see, there’s something that everyone has to do to achieve success. It’s not about learning a new skill or taking big risks. And it’s not about getting a mentor. Nor is it about going back to school to increase your education.

No. It’s about this – if you want success, you need to know what you’re willing to give up to achieve it.

Success has always meant adding something to your life. If you want more money, a better relationship, or to start your own business – it’s all about adding. And if you want to add something to your life that represents success, then something has to give.

You’ve probably heard me say that success is simple but it isn’t easy. I know that’s not what some want to hear. But there’s one thing about success that is completely true – it is never convenient. That’s why you must be willing to sacrifice and give up comfort and convenience in order to achieve success.

What do you have to give up? That’s for you to decide.

You may have to give up hanging out with people that drag you down rather than lift you up.

You may have to give up watching TV in order to have the time to read, study and prepare.

You may have to give up sleep so that you can work on starting your new business.

You may have to give up buying something now, so that you can save and turn your money into capital.

The Test: How Bad Do You Want Success?

The young man got to the beach early. He had waited years for this moment and was eager to meet the wise old man, someone who’s success was legendary.

The old man grabbed his hand and said: “How bad do you want to be successful?”

The young man said: “Very bad.”

“Then walk on out in the water with me.”

He proceeded to walk out to about waist deep level in the water.

The old man said: “Come out a little further.”

He inched forward to where the water was at his shoulders.

 “A little further”, said the old man.

 He moved a little further until the water was at his mouth and then quickly stopped.

The old man said: “I thought you said you wanted to be successful?” He said: “I do.”

The old man said: “Then walk a little further.”

He came forward and suddenly his head dropped beneath the water. At the same time, the old man put his hands on the young man’s shoulders… and held him down.

The young man kicked and wiggled but could not break free.  Just before the young man was about to pass out, the mentor raised him up.

“I have a question for you. When you were under the water, what did you most want to do?”, asked the mentor.

The young man said, “I wanted to breathe!”

“Well, when you want to succeed as bad as you want breathe, then you will be successful”, replied the old man.

I believe that every worthwhile goal and every demand will be tested. You will have to give up comfort at some point, in exchange for a life of freedom in the future. Success is rare. It calls for rare action. You can do it. It all comes down to one question:

How bad do you want it?