What separates those who simply have a dream versus those who actually attain it? What allows some people to reach the top while others hope for it and watch as others succeed?

Right now, you have a goal in mind and you have a plan in place to reach it. Possibly the most important question you need to answer before you start is, are you willing to do what others won’t?

Are you willing to say no to things, to listen to negative comments about your choices, and to stay on track when giving up would be so much easier?

If the goal means enough to you, the answer to this question is easy. Your goal has to be born from passion; it has to mean a lot to you. If it doesn’t rank highly enough, you’ll always find a reason to stop or not start at all. If the answer is yes, just do it. Put your heart and soul into it. Let any distraction fall away and focus on making it happen. YOU have this control.

Regardless of your goal, the work ethic, drive, determination, and persistence it takes to reach it are the same. If you want to get a degree, start a new business, lose weight, or transform your body, you’re going to face a lot of adversity along the way.  You’re going to have to dedicate your life to your goal. You’re going to have to be persistent even when all the odds seem to be against you. You have to hold onto the belief that what you’re doing is the right thing, and to push through the tough times and past the people who don’t help you.

I can tell you up front that some people won’t understand. They’ll be jealous, they’ll be confused, and they’ll be insecure. They might even be resentful that your free time is taken up by something else. But, if your goal means enough to you, all the work your put into reaching it should make the effort worthwhile.

Trust me on this – you’ll meet new and amazing people along the way. People with the same interests and passions as you. If you’re really lucky, you’ll even meet people who will actively help you reach your goals. When this happens, it’s crystal clear that you’re following the right path.

Doing what others won’t

Many people will say they want to achieve something, but when push comes to shove, they never start or quickly quit. Why? Because they don’t want to give things up. Going out for meals, relaxing all day on weekends, or bottomless cocktails may be replaced with food prep, early morning alarms, and bottomless bottles of water. On paper, that really doesn’t sound like a fun or fair trade. But, when you have a goal in mind and it means everything to you, you don’t think twice.

Honestly, while it may seem like you have to “give things up” or that you’ll miss out on things, you really don’t. When you have a vision, you do what’s needed and it just becomes a way of life. Before I had the goal of becoming a bodybuilder, I never thought I’d pack my meals every day, or that road trips would include three coolers of meals instead of fast food stops. But, this is simply part of my life now and it makes me happy in the fact that I know I’m staying on track towards my goal. These things have become a regular part of life, not an added task, just like showering and brushing my teeth.

While we don’t turn down social invitations, we generally don’t stay out late and will be the ones drinking water all night. Most of our friends and family have come to terms with this now, and don’t question things. It wasn’t always this way, though. When we started, we had to repeatedly turn down offers of food and beer (everyone loves to be a good host). It’s not easy to turn down things you love, or always saying “no” to things. Personally, I hate saying no when people offer things, or have a great spread of food out, because I feel like it comes across as rude. But, it had / has to be done sometimes.

Just remember, you’re on the path to something important, something great, and something you want more than anything. You’ve got to work hard for it, be persistent for it, and be dedicated to it. Any why should it be any other way if you want something most people don’t have?