Being exceptional in your profession, your sport, or a skill takes a lot of sacrifice.
“I want to be rich”
If so...
Are you willing to dedicate your time to an idea that has no guarantee of making any money?
Are you willing to sacrifice your social life to focus on your business that might fail?
Are you willing to sacrifice your happiness, time, youth, and stability in a dream?
Most businesses fail. So all this effort for something that only very few achieve.
“I want to become a professional athlete”
If so...
Are you willing to wake up early and train?
Are you willing to take on the pressure of competing for your spot?
Or to say no to late nights with friends, family, or a significant other, to prioritise sleep and recovery?
To eat clean, count calories and track macros so your body gets exactly what it needs to perform at its optimal
To push yourself every day, avoiding injuries that can end your career.
All this work for the high possibility of someone turning around and saying you didn’t make the cut.
“I want to be the best salesman/marketer in the company”
If so...
Are you ready to work outside your working hours every day with no recognition or results for a very long time?
Do you have the resilience to dance with failure every day, without affecting the quality of your outputs?
Willing to battle the constant pressures of monthly quotas and ruthless managers?
Are you confident enough to try new ideas with the risk of looking stupid in front of the office?
Becoming “successful” at something is fucking hard.
On the flip side, however, being average and having balance has its own sacrifices.
Will you ignore the young thought and belief of being truly exceptional at something?
Will you cage the constant drive for more, and continue to go with the flow?
Are you happy to never spend time on self-improvement and let your “okay” habits defy who you are?
You see, balance and mediocrity are best friends with comfort.
Comfort literally stagnates any form of growth.
So if you want a “Balanced” life, a comfortable life...
Be prepared to look back in a year or two and question why your situation hasn’t improved.
To those who want more out of life, the gladiators in the arena.
I salute you.
Failure will slap you in the face more times than you can count, and trust me, 2025 slapped me too many times.
The most important thing you can do is keep moving.
Shit will hurt your ego, it will make you question if you can, and it will break you down.
The longer you keep at it and keep sharpening your sword with whatever whetstone life gives you.
The more likely you are to succeed
You will be exceptional.
Being on the journey already makes you exceptional.
Keep going.
See you on Sunday.