So far, we’ve discussed the three things it takes to pursue your dream. 1. Decide. 2. Commit. 3. Discipline. What’s next? Well, brace yourself. If I didn’t scare you off yesterday then I might today.
Number four is: sacrifice. I already see you cringing. I know, I know. No one wants to even hear that word: sacrifice. Today, we like easy, comfort, instant, drive-thrus. We don’t like to wait and we don’t want to have to give up anything. We like to eat our cake and have it too. Well, if you’re going to reach for a dream, sacrifice is demanded.
There will be things you have to give up. For me, when I first decided and committed to becoming a writer, I sacrificed a lot financially. A decent paying job for one. Teaching won’t make you rich, but it will pay the bills. Without that teaching job, I had to figure out a way that I could pay bills and live and eat. But I didn’t eat at fancy restaurants. I clipped coupons. I didn’t go shopping. Yep, and for me that was a HUGE sacrifice. I didn’t get to see my friends as much. Still don’t. I have deadlines. When my kids were little, other moms were calling their friends during naptime and catching up, but I was writing so I could meet deadlines. Neither is right or wrong. But chatting with friends would not have gotten a book written and my dream was writing. Olympic athletes give up a lot to reach for their dreams. They wake up early and work hard. Some go to school part time or homeschool. Therefore, they often give up Friday nights at football games and prom. They give up hanging out with friends and eating fattening desserts. So before making that decision and commitment, figure out what you are going to have to sacrifice.
What is your sacrifice? Is the payoff worth it?
Oh boy, (as my Daddy would say), this is a tough one and I already know what God wants. Through several of your posts He has whispered, get up early. sigh….But I’m not a morning person. I whine. But with God all things are possible. So, when this week of volunteering is over I will make the commitment to get up early. Pray, seek Him and make myself sit down and write. Thank you for the encouragement and may God bless you richly.
It is tough. And Mary, I’m not an early bird or a morning person but for years I’ve gotten up early, forced myself to be a morning person. You can do it. It’s not easy. And it’s really easy to get out of sync. If I stay up late one night then I’m off track for a good week. But it can be done.
This is certainly the hardest part of making a dream reality!!
I am so disappointed to learn you were in PA…since you bought Amish items, I think you may have been in the Lancaster area…which is so close to me!
Annette,
Sacrifice can seem really scary but I also think that if you really, really are passionate about a dream then it won’t seem like sacrifice. You know how colleges make Freshman biology really tough as a weeding out process for those going pre-med? Well, that’s a bit like what ‘sacrifice’ is for pursuing one’s dreams.
Ah, so sorry I missed you! It’s a beautiful part of the country and I so enjoyed my visit there. Yes, I was in Lancaster and also Philadelphia. Hope I get to go back sometime soon!
Blessings,
Leanna