Thoughts on the Mentality of Sacrifice

Hi Jeff Munn, Creating Extraordinary Futures.
I want to revisit a post I shared, which was originally posted by Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank) on his Twitter feed. The post received significant backlash.
Here’s the tweet: "You may lose your wife, you may lose your dog, your mother may hate you. None of those things matter. What matters is that you achieve success and become free. Then you can do whatever you like."
This statement sparked a lot of comments about work-life balance and the value of family. Many questioned how true freedom can exist if you never see your family.
When I shared the post, I reflected on a recurring theme in our discussions: the idea that if you are the one creating your experience, then you are already free to create anything. The premise is flawed if you are already free. It doesn’t take much maturity to realize that while money can create a level of freedom, you don’t need a huge amount to feel free. Is it worth alienating everything in your life to achieve that freedom, only to have to rebuild your life afterward? Why not recognize that you are already free, enjoy your life, and create whatever you want?
From another perspective, consider brain chemistry. Assume we have a goal, whether for happiness, a sense of mission, or purpose. Is working 25 hours a day, eight days a week the best way to achieve it? I suggest not, and here’s why.
The Taskmaster part of the brain resides in the left hemisphere. It’s a serial processor that handles lists and figures out the best and quickest ways to complete tasks. It can stay focused and reward itself for achievements, driven by fear or achievement focus.
However, the right hemisphere sees the big picture, understands how things fit together, and generates insights that can save you time and effort. It helps you realize when you’re looking in the wrong direction or not thinking about a problem correctly. If you are entirely focused on productivity from the left hemisphere, the right hemisphere shuts down, preventing these valuable insights.
We need space in our lives for deeper guidance and insights. Kevin O’Leary’s post misses this point. As an investor, he likely values the ability to prioritize and think strategically. However, his statement that you must be willing to work 24/7 to get his investment won’t maximize returns, happiness, fulfillment, or purpose for entrepreneurs. Consequently, it won’t maximize the output for Kevin either.
Reflect on this: How can this perspective add value to your life? Whether you’re working too hard in your current job, thinking about starting something new, or scaling a business, what advice resonates with you now? What will you take from this, and how will you apply it?
Have fun experimenting with these ideas. I encourage you to rewatch this video. Take care.