Nothing comes cheap.

PAY YOUR DUES.

Nothing worthy of note is ever achieved with ease, or given on a platter, you must pay your dues to be able to reach certain heights or achieve some feats. From the worlds of business and sports to the arts and beyond, if you would become a force to be reckoned with, you have to give what it takes. "Paying your dues" refers to the idea that success and achievement in any field requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You can not achieve greatness without first putting in the time and effort.

There is no particular way or order in which you must pay your dues, it can take different forms depending on the field you are in. In the business world, one might have to start at the bottom of the ladder and work his way up, doing grunt work and learning the ropes before being able to take on more significant responsibilities. In sports, it might have to do with putting in countless hours of training and practice, and mastering certain moves and techniques before you can compete at the highest levels.

While paying your dues can sometimes feel frustrating or demoralising, especially if you are working hard and not seeing immediate results, there are many benefits to doing so. It helps ensure that you have a solid foundation of skills and experiences to build on as you move forward. By taking the time to learn the basics and gain hands-on experience in your field, you will be better equipped to tackle more challenging tasks and difficulties down the road.

When you have paid your dues, you would have built up your credibility and gain the respect of your colleagues, peers, and others who are in your field or circle. Paying your dues is not a one-time thing. Even when you have achieved a certain level of success in your field, it is important to continue working hard and growing as an individual. By embracing the mindset of paying your dues, you will be setting yourself up for long-term success and fulfillment, and that is something you will, and should be proud of.

Kamikun John, Author 366 days of wisdom.