In a world where we want everything quick and easy, the truth is that it just can’t be that way. Sure, we can get food quick if we want fast food, which isn’t the healthiest or best option if we’re being honest. But the greatest things in life take time. That’s why the art of sacrifice is important. Yes, I said art because that’s exactly what it is. Telling yourself you’re not going to do something for some greater outcome isn’t enough and most likely won’t get the job done. Why isn’t it enough you ask. Because for every reason you can say you won’t do something, you can come up with a reason for why it’s okay for just this one time (aka an excuse)… that turns into multiple times.
What is Sacrifice
Sacrifice always comes with such a negative connotation, and it shouldn’t. I define sacrifice as a tradeoff of something for desired results. Achieving desired results sounds great, right? Dictionary.com defines sacrifice as to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else. So sure, sacrifice can be negative in the sense that it may be a forced tradeoff or one that must be made for certain life needs, but we’re not looking at the term in that sense. We’re discussing sacrifice in terms of desired results. And unfortunately, everything doesn’t come easy. Even though you may very well feel like you’re being forced to make a tradeoff you don’t want to make when it comes to sacrifice, you’re making the decision for better.
What Can Be Achieved With Sacrifice
As stated earlier, sacrifice can help you achieve goals. Completing school, landing your dream career, starting new business ventures, and much more can be achieved with the art of sacrifice. And sure, it can be challenging, but you have to keep the long-term results in mind. For me, sacrifice looked like being in school and away from family and friends back home for seven years. I wanted FAMU to be in Georgia so bad, even before I even went left for school because I was a little scared about going away. Yea, I got to go home most holidays, but there were sometimes that I didn’t. Thankfully I had a group of supportive friends to keep me company and motivated through those times. It looked like turning down party, event, and outing invites, and eventually not even being asked to attend events lol. However, all those sacrifices allowed me to be able to attend a top pharmacy program and graduate as the competent pharmacist I am today. The art of sacrifice really paid off.
Oh, and it doesn’t stop. But the fact that it doesn’t stop just means that life continues to progress. I continue to set more goals, which require more sacrifice but yield great results. So, let’s get into it!
Characteristics Needed for Sacrifice
Sacrifice can be challenging, but it can definitely be done and in a way that produces optimal results. Ambition is that strong desire you have to get what you want. If you really want something, you’ll work for it. That’s where determination comes in. Determination is the fire in you that keeps you going after it. Consistency is needed to align your actions with your words and wants. Resilience gets you back on your feet, and trust me, you will need it. You’re going to mess up every now and then. In my case, fail a few exams, sleep through a few classes, miss a fewassignments……yea, you get it. I am not perfect. Last but not least and most importantly, you’ll need discipline. Discipline is what helps you build habits that help you remain consistent during the process. It’s the ability to stick to a plan or set of behaviors you put in place for yourself. For me, discipline was sticking to that study schedule, being able to say no to those parties and events and waking up for those 8 AM classes. So, discipline obviously also requires some self-control.
How to Sacrifice
As I said earlier, there is an art to sacrifice. It takes more than just saying what you will or won’t do and sticking to it. I’m sure you’ve said you were going to do some things that you haven’t. It’s not because you’re not a woman of your word. You just didn’t take the steps needed to see it through. Yes, it actually takes work to keep your word to yourself. The following steps will help you in the art of sacrifice.
1. Set a goal
Set the goal with a deadline in mind. You might not always make that deadline, but it helps you remain consistent and disciplined.
2. Create a plan
Your plan is how you’ll carry out your goal. Be sure your plan is well thought through and equipped with resolutions for any obstacles you may come across. This will help with your resilience.
3. List your sacrifice(s)
This step can get lengthy because multiple sacrifices may be needed to achieve the goal you set for yourself. The key is to make sure they are doable. These are the commitments you make to yourself to achieve the overall goal. These can be smaller goals in themselves. They won’t always be easy, but if you stick to those that are (doable), it’ll be easier to keep your word to yourself. And let’s be honest, it’s one thing when you let someone else down, but to let yourself down is a whole different kind of feeling.
4. Come up with a method to measure progress
You have to be able to measure your progress, which is ultimately determined by how well you’re sticking to your sacrifices. So you have to come up with a method to measure how well you’re sticking to your sacrifices. This will be dependent on what the sacrifices are.
5. Set up a reward system
A reward based on progress is just another incentive to keep you going. Try to choose a reward unrelated to the goal or sacrifice so that you don’t undo the progress. For example, if your goal is to lose ten pounds, the reward shouldn’t be a piece of cake every time you meet the measure of progress.
You’ll notice that your sacrifice isn’t even step one. That’s because sacrifices come with achieving goals. When implementing the art of sacrifice, you work backward and forward in regard to a stepwise process. You work forward through the steps in an effort to achieve a goal. You look backward to remember why you’re making the sacrifices, your goal. Keeping your goal in mind is most important. When you’re about to go against the commitment you’ve made to yourself (the sacrifice) you have to remember the initial goal you put in place for yourself. Remembering the goal will help motivate you to stick to the sacrifice.
All goals require sacrifice. The sacrifices you make are what enables you to achieve them. If you aren’t making sacrifices, chances are you aren’t progressing in life. We’re all about progressing, so our LUXE lives will definitely require sacrifice whether it be tightening up the budget or getting up earlier every morning to hit the gym. Current tradeoffs for future success. Either way, if you stick to the art of sacrifice, you’ll achieve.
And remember…
If you enjoyed this post, check these out for more tips for success:
https://theluxedocs.com/what-is-professionalism-how-to-implement-it-daily/
https://theluxedocs.com/5-must-haves-for-every-successful-woman/
https://theluxedocs.com/5-easy-ways-to-manage-adulting-as-a-millennial/
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