How many sacrifices have you made?

I was talking to a start-up, last week… whom shared with me, that one of the core team members was giving up his job at Ikea to concentrate on the start-up.

That’s great news! – I said.

Then we had a discussion about… what is needed, to be successful.

There’s various elements – but it comes down to a few things. Which i’m not going to discuss here, but we did establish – being totally honest, there’s a minimum cost of living that’s required. A minimum amount of money they’ll need to make to survive. And they’ll make the necessary changes to their lifestyle to reflect that…

And, you know what… I believe them.

Now, not everything is going to be easy. I’ve known these guys for a year or two… and it’s not been easy. There’s been some ups… and some downs.

Bit like sport… some you win, some you don’t.

But the key thing is you learn.

People can teach you – but until it happens to you, until you actually experience it… then you’ll really appreciate it.

Now, i’m going to be honest. A little sad he’s leaving Ikea, was hoping to get a discount on a new home office desk I was looking at for some time.

But anyhow… it’s great that they’re focussing. And that’s the key thing here. Focus.

If you know what you want…. then you’ll most probably do anything, you can… to achieve it.

Take Elon Musk…. and this infographic… (did you know, he showered at YMCA and slept in his office!)

Sacrifices. That’s what it comes down to. What are you willing to give up… what are you willing to do… to achieve that dream of yours.

Now, i’m not suggesting you all start sleeping in the office… and showering at the local YMCA. But what I am suggesting is, look at the luxuries in your life… or look at the things in your life, that you’re willing to give up or do without for a short period of time, just so you can focus.

Focus and sacrifice. That’s what it comes down to. Ambition and passion.

I know this start-up will make it. Make it big. Because they’re a) very intelligent, b) have a great work ethic and c) have some really good ideas.

It’s to that point c… they’ll really achieve success. Because when you have an idea… you need time. You need time to develop, work and build on it.

If you’ve got various commitments, you can’t spend the time required. You can’t focus. You can’t win.

I’ve had a number of great ideas in the past. Some really good ideas. Some of them I put into action… and did really well. Some I put into action and… didn’t do so well. Some, I’ve written down… and waiting for the right time.

The right time for me? – well, when I can focus and spend quality time on the idea. Don’t want to rush it, don’t want to waste the opportunity. Will make a few sacrifices to work on them… but when i’m ready.

And that’s the last point I wanted to make. This start-up, have made all their decisions themselves. Amongst them, they’ve decided to reduce the numbers of the core team. They themselves have decided what they want to do… and how they want to do it.

So, do you have an idea? Want to work on it? – look around and think, what are you willing to sacrifice, in order to have time & money to spend on it.