Our lives are affected by two major things: one is price, and the other is promise. And it’s not that easy to pay the price if you can’t see the promise.
I (Jim Rohn) think kids are having problems these days trying to pay the price because they can’t see the promise. But nobody would mind paying the price if they could have a clear view of tomorrow–next week, or next month, or next year. If we had the assurance that everything were going to work out, do you think we would hesitate to pay? The answer is no, but everybody hesitates if the future isn’t clear. So we’ve got to do two things to help our kids: help them see the promise and help them pay the price.
It is so much easier to pay the price if we can see the promise. My karate instructor said, “Mr. Rohn, you cannot believe the incredible feeling of walking down any city street unafraid.” I said, “Let’s get on with the classes.” I was willing to sweat; I was willing to put myself through the paces to achieve that feeling.
What would you do for an extraordinary promise? The most unbelievable things. Would you crack the books? Would you burn the midnight oil? Would you engage in the extra thoughts and the extra disciplines if the promise were adequate? And the answer is, of course. But who wants to read, who wants to burn the midnight oil, who wants to put themselves through the paces if the promise isn’t clear? Nobody. So do what it takes to discover what you truly want. Once you have seen and felt that ideal future, that promise of achievement, you will be ready and able to pay any price.
* Source: Leading an Inspired Life by Jim Rohn