Becoming The "Alpha" Is Hard Work

Today’s Topics

• The Reality of Being Top Dog 🐺

• The Hard Decisions 💪

     5 Mins Read Time

The Reality of Being Top Dog 🐺

By Jo

Everyone talks about being the “Top Dog” or the “Alpha Male”. It sounds glamorous and powerful, but what does it really take? The truth is, it takes sacrifice.

Being at the top isn't just about dominance or barking orders. It's about making tough decisions and often putting others before yourself. Sacrifice means giving up your time, your comfort, and sometimes even your desires to achieve a greater goal. It’s about staying late to finish a project, waking up early to seize the day, and constantly pushing yourself beyond your limits.

It also means facing criticism and doubt from others. When you aim for the top, not everyone will understand your journey. Some will question your choices, and others might try to bring you down. But true leaders know that these sacrifices are necessary. They embrace the grind and remain steadfast, knowing that the road to success is paved with challenges and obstacles.

Sacrifice also involves learning and growing continuously. Being the best means never settling for what you already know. It means constantly seeking knowledge, honing your skills, and adapting to new situations. This dedication to self-improvement often requires sacrificing leisure time and pushing through fatigue.

In relationships, being the alpha male or top dog can mean sacrificing your ego. It’s about listening to others, showing empathy, and sometimes putting your pride aside for the sake of harmony and progress. True leaders understand that their strength lies in their ability to uplift and inspire those around them.

Ultimately, the journey to the top is not about the title or the accolades. It’s about the person you become through the sacrifices you make. It’s about building resilience, integrity, and character. So, if you aspire to be the top dog, remember that it’s not just about being in charge. It’s about the sacrifices you’re willing to make and the dedication you bring to your pursuit of excellence.

The Hard Decisions 💪

By Marcus

Don’t you want to take a leap of faith? Or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone!”

Saito- Inception

Have you ever regretted spending too much time with something or someone? Maybe you spent too much time working toward a goal without results?

This has probably happened to all of us at some point in our lives.

Part of taking risk in life is understanding there was another path (maybe one less painful) to be explored.

The hard part is accepting when the risk phase has run its course or if we continue down that same road.

As difficult as it may be to take the risk, it may be more difficult to part ways and pursue another path. Let’s focus on two key factors to consider after you’ve taken your leap of faith.

Holding Yourself Accountable

Be honest about what it takes. Own your decision whether the outcome is good or bad.

Are you putting forth good effort or doing the bare minimum? Be honest with yourself here. It’s one thing to start a business, but if the time you invest in the business is minimal, how can you expect to succeed?

Outside factors will always play a role, but with you in the driver's seat, you have control over the outcome. Even if that outcome is walking away due to market conditions, financial constraints, a shift in priorities or interest. It happens.

Timeline For Success

This is where you have to be tough on yourself. Try to set clear milestones along the way. If you fall short, take the time to evaluate why and decide to stay the course or shift priorities.

This can be difficult because it can feel like you are quitting, however part of surviving is knowing when to walk away. You want to live to fight another day.

Also, be mindful if you are doing busy work that doesn’t really amount to much. Identify KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and don’t cheat yourself into accepting subpar performance over an extended period of time.

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Remember: retreating does not always mean defeat.

Pay the Cost to be the Boss!