Writers 
Sacrifice vs. Gain
Every goal will require sacrifice of some kind, and it’s easy to forget this sometimes.
Most often we tend to focus on what we stand to GAIN from the achievement of our goals, not what we stand to lose. However, failing to acknowledge and prepare for the sacrifices can set us up for a rude awakening– and even threaten our eventual success.
What kind of sacrifices have you had to make for your goals in the past?
Did you have to give up some of your favorite television shows so you could make time to work on your goals? Did you give up your favorite dessert when you started a new health regime? What kind of sacrifices have you been making (or struggling to make) with your current goals?
Are you having a hard time avoiding the vending machine at work? Are you having trouble making daily meditation a priority when your family needs attention? Are you struggling to stick to your new savings plan because that gorgeous pair of shoes knocked on the window as you passed by and you just had to have them?
Let’s face it; sacrifices usually aren’t fun. It means giving up something you enjoy, even if temporarily. Unfortunately, few gains can come without sacrifices.
Acknowledging this is a good first step in preparing for any discomfort you may face as you progress on your goals. The Remedy:
When it comes to sacrifices, only two things matter:
• Is it worth it?
With every goal, you need to know that what you stand to gain is worth the cost of what you’ will have to give up. Rarely are these rigid concepts; more often they will change according to your perceptions.
For example, when you first set your goals and start working toward them you may believe that your sacrifices are well worth it. Your motivation is strong and you’re feeling optimistic that you can overcome any temptations to slide back into old habits. But as time goes on and you begin to miss the things that once provided a sense of comfort or pleasure, you may wonder whether you can continue making these sacrifices. In fact, this question (Is it worth it?) is one you’ll probably have to answer over and over again until you reach a point where your new habits have overridden the old.
• Are you willing to do it?
Even more important than the first question, this one helps you get clear on whether your goal is truly important to you– or not. If you decide you’re not willing to make sacrifices at this time, you may need to choose a lesser goal until you feel ready to take on bigger challenges in the future.
If you find that you are willing, all you need to do is simply keep reinforcing that decision mentally every time you feel tempted to act in ways that are counterproductive to your goals, and with persistency, you will be successful in actualizing your goals setting.
