I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.
Muhammad Ali
Sacrifice today to reach a cherished goal tomorrow – that is the logic of proactive suffering. Sometimes, if we want something badly enough we are willing to make sacrifices and we are willing to endure hardships and even pain for the purpose of achieving future goals that are very meaningful to us.
Often, if you want to reach a goal like winning a competition, preparing and qualifying to enter a profession, or starting a business, you may choose to risk experiencing a high degree of personal hardship and struggle. Your choice will reflect your judgment that whatever hardships and suffering may follow will be necessary and worthwhile as part of the preparation for future success.
Proactive suffering is the consequence of your choice to risk and endure suffering in the present for the purpose of achieving a highly valued goal in the future, and frequently is a hallmark feature of dedication. It is the result of your willful choices to work hard, make sacrifices, and persevere in your efforts to reach your goals.
Getting Personal
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice in order to be able to achieve a future goal? What was it? Do you feel that making the sacrifice was worth it or not? Why or why not?
“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” (Lionel Messi, soccer superstar)
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” (Jesse Owens, former track and field Olympic champion)
What are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve future goals?
**** Top of post image (Boxer Training), from freepik.com
