“There is no significance without sacrifice.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 170). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

You want to do something that matters.  You want to do something that causes someone to say thanks. You want to make a difference with something you do.  You do, don’t you?  Well, there will be some sacrifice in there.

John says, “If you want to live a life of significance, you will have to give up some things. The pathway of possibility is filled with trade-offs. Why? Because there is no significance without sacrifice.”

He goes on, “But the good news is that as you trade one thing for another, you will be moving toward a better and more fulfilling way of life, whether making a difference means making the decision to start a family or making radical changes to your everyday life.”

John then says, “I looked back at all of the trade-offs I’d made, and wrote a lesson about it. I used it to encourage leaders to reach for their greater possibilities. Here are the trade-offs I recommended they make:

-Trade Affirmation for Accomplishment.

-Trade Security for Significance.

-Trade Financial Gain for Future Potential.

-Trade Immediate Pleasure for Personal Growth.

-Trade Exploration for Focus.

-Trade Quantity of Life for Quality of Life.

-Trade Acceptable for Excellent. 

-Trade Addition for Multiplication.

-Trade the First Half for the Second Half.

He finishes this section with, “If you want to live a life that matters, you will have to make trade-offs. They are required in our significance journey. And as I already said, they become harder as we become more successful. But know this: trade-offs never leave you the same. And if you trade up for significance over serving yourself, those changes will always be for the better.”

It will be worth it.  It really will be.

So, what are you willing to give up to make a difference?