Sacrifice and Success Go Hand in Hand

Friday, February 9, 2007 at 04:22pm by David Askaripour in Life

I once heard a saying that went something like this: “the most successful people on this Earth also suffered the most.” I guess that statement will mean different things for different entrepreneurs. Success will always remain in the eyes of the beholder and it can come in many different shapes, forms, and sizes.

To say that there was only one type of success would be to say that Bill Gates and Gandhi are one in the same. Each triumphed with different forms of success. The two can’t even be compared (re: their journeys to success).

But in order to show the correlation between success and sacrifice, we can take a look at men of great success and see how sacrifice was an integral part of their feats — their glory.

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, sacrificed the chance to obtain a degree from the top Ivy League university in the world. He was attending Harvard University before leaving to devote all his time to building Microsoft.

Gates, knowing that his time would be better spent focusing on building his dream company, took a leave of absence never to return, and pushed forward with his ambitions.

His sacrifice lead to building the number one software company in the world, subsequently becomes the world’s richest man.

Mahatma Gandhi, liberator of India, spiritual leader, and leader of Indian National Congress, lived a life fighting to protect the rights, freedom, and happiness of the people of India.

Upon returning home after campaigning against South Africa’s racist ideals and helping to bring about change in the region, he returned home to India and devoted the remainder of his life to fighting poverty, instilling pride and happiness in the hearts of all India’s inhabitants (regardless of race or religion), and most notably, attaining autonomy from the British Empire.

Throughout Gandhi’s life, he was imprisoned for many years, beaten, and eventually murdered. Through is non-violent and non-confrontation movements, he made the ultimate sacrifice by showing the world that he didn’t have to physically fight in order to bring about change.

His journey to success embodies a life of selflessness, devotion to his people, and a rare determination of immense courage and persistence. His ultimate sacrifice was perhaps his greatest — his life.

And lastly, Roman Emperor Augustus, formerly known as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus or Gaius Octavius. Upon the brutal murder of his uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Octavian had a decision to make: to try and live a life of peace and renounce his inheritance from his uncle to become Emperor and protector of Rome or to challenge his enemies who sought to neutralize his position and keep him off the road of politics — essentially, stopping him from accepting his uncles will.

So in 44 BC at the age of 19 years old he decided to raise an army of roughly 10,000 strong to fight his enemy Mark Anthony in Gaul (France). His victory over Marc Anthony led to several more critical wins during a time of unrest and civil war in Rome.

His decision to sacrifice a life of placation and probably personal peace and wealth, lead him to push forward with his political ambitions. His decision was greatly rewarded and led to Augustus becoming the most powerful and respected Roman Empire to ever live.

His contributions brought about 250 years of peace, something never before done in history. His name will on forever.

As you can see, all of these men gave up something — many things — in their pursuit of success. From modern time Bill Gates all the way back to Ancient Rome during Augustus’ time.

While on your journey to success, always remember that it’s going to take something to gain something. Nothing will ever simply be given to you. If you want something badly enough, then get it. Take it. Fight for it. And accept the fact that sacrifices will inevitably have to be made in the process.

3 Comments

Leave a Comment