Sounds like an Oprah question and frankly it’s a hit-you-in-the-core kind of question. Joy, Intellect, respect, connections, happiness, finances, love, relationships, career–what are you willing to do for YOUR best journey in these key areas of your life?
Since I started working at the age of 16, I was fortunate to learn from the best. My first job as a butcher, I learned extraordinary skills both mentally and physically for what it takes to be great, to work hard, to provide the best customer service, to be kind, to smile as often as you can, and to always show up.
Looking back I feel as if my first job was part of the big plan the “Higher Power” has for me. This was the job that taught me the very basics in customer service and working hard. It was a family-run business and they treated their employees and customers like family. They had relationships with the customers and always remembered what they loved and usually needed when shopping at their store.
I saw how my boss and the family worked extremely hard and literally did whatever it took to make a customer happy, do the right thing, and prosper.
Over the next month I’ll be writing, Periscoping, and Blabbing about this theme–What Are You Willing to Do? This is all part of Identity’s 10-year anniversary celebration and our 3rd Identity LIVE conference.
When I think of this statement, it brings me back to the sacrifices and choices I’ve made while pursuing my entrepreneurial lifestyle. This particular year, my 4th year as an entrepreneur, a mentor said to me, “you can’t be a part time entrepreneur, at least not forever.” Sooner or later a decision has to be made and I had reached that moment.
My two biggest fears were money and failure.
My nine-to-five job paid really well and I had great benefits, PLUS I had about 12k in my 401k. That was pretty good at the age of 27-ish. The not-so-good part was that I had lots of debt that I was paying off, and it was taking FOREVER to pay down.
There are times when I get this feeling in my heart that I just know what I need to do for my next step. I always seem to question myself; however, once a thought is in my head, a decision is quickly next in line. This particular time was making the decision to go part-time in my nine-to-five job and pick up a weekend job so I could have more time during the week for meetings and networking to grow my digital magazine.
Fast Forward
After about a year of working part-time and tending bar on the weekends, I saved some cash, paid down some debt, and was still getting ready for the next step.
I was still working over 100 hours a week between my part-time day job, bartending, and building my own business. There were so many moments I wanted to give up because I was working my butt off and it felt like I was sacrificing so much to be an entrepreneur.
That’s the moment you have to dig and remember WHY and WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO FOR YOUR “WHY”
Still to this day, I have that drive inside of me. I will do whatever it takes to support my family. I will never have the attitude of I’m too good for this or that. I will do whatever it takes, work whatever job I have to, as long as it’s supporting my family and presenting opportunities. I’m extremely blessed and grateful for all of the success and connections thus far.
Life comes with sacrifices, and we can’t, or we shouldn’t, have our cake and eat it too. It’s part of the experiences that create our journeys. I’ve asked other career-minded women what they’ve sacrificed in order to create their best life:
– Moved back home with parents or stayed longer than wanted to
– Picked up a weekend job in order to build a savings account
– Filed bankruptcy
– Used 401k to pay off debt in order to start a business
– Sold a house to move into an apartment to start a business
– Missed family birthday celebrations and holidays due to traveling
– Broke up with a guy to focus
– Worked for days straight with no sleep
“Long hours, and two jobs. I won’t cut back on eating out because it feels like the only reward I can really justify anymore. I’ve sacrificed sleep, vacations, purchases, visits with friends, and so much more. I don’t regret a thing because I’ve created a successful business that provides me freedom.” Says Raspberri Elisa, CEO & President at Launch.U
Personally, I’ve sacrificed many of the same things. I worked multiple jobs, at one point up to 3, pulled all nighters to get work done and meet goals, missed girlfriend getaways with my besties, and lived at home longer than any 25+ girl wants.
While some of these seem to be greater sacrifices than others, they all affect each of us differently. It’s most important to remember that sacrifices aren’t forever.
Maybe you’re at a point in your life where you need a shift and that shift may need you to make a sacrifice. What are you willing to do?
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
I’ve accepted that making sacrifices is part of the journey. They help us become stronger, more confident decision makers because we learn to make choices that are in our best interest at that time. After several times, we make wiser and quicker decisions.
2. What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
I appreciate the ability to have control over my choices in life. Many us of take this for granted. There are many who don’t have the ability or option to make choices–I’m grateful for the chioce.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
I’m extremely proud of all the choices I’ve made over the past decade.
4. We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
Oh many! For this month I’ll share that I used to be very passive when it came to decisions. I would always play the game, “I don’t care where we go or eat, or what we do.” I’m not picky, but now work to always have somewhat of an opinion or choice.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my positive outlook of life.
