The Most Important Question You Will Ever Ask

It’s important to have goals. Even more important to write them down and display them somewhere you can see them.

The hard part is what comes next.

If you’re serious about achieving those Specific — Measurable — Attainable — Relevant — Time-Oriented goals, then, after you know what it is you genuinely want, ask yourself the most important question you will ever ask:
What am I willing to do to get it?

Will you put in endless late nights?

Are you willing to take the blame for everything, and the credit for nothing?

How much time is too much time away from family?

Is it cool to skip a vacation, or one, or several?

What if achieving your goal means losing a friend; could you?

How long are you willing to struggle to get what is you truly want?

The list goes on. And by the time I asked myself these questions and more, it was too late. I had achieved most of my goals during my decade as an entrepreneur, but I’d sacrificed more than I was prepared for. Best friends, integrity, time and even family. And for what? To make a couple check marks. If only I’d have detailed the things I loved first. The things I wasn’t willing to lose before I got going. I could’ve seen it coming. And I would’ve stopped it. And guess what, I would’ve found a better way. But instead, I put my head down and pushed forward like a bull running into the sword. Because that’s what entrepreneurs do. That’s what men do. No complaints. No stopping. Win!

Draw your line in the sand today. Is there anything that will make you cross it? Are there certain temptations greater than others? It’s these questions that say everything you need to know about your future. What your limits are today, what they will be years from now, what will make you throw in the towel or why you never will. The list is long so get started. Only then can you settle into the journey, unafraid of what’s to come. Everyone wants something, but only a few know what they’re willing to do to get it.