"Yesterday's price is not today's price."

It sounds good. It feels good. But do you actually know what it means?

In mainstream and urban culture, the phrase means that your value has gone up. What you once were willing to accept — in payment, treatment, or opportunity — is no longer enough. Today’s price is higher. You recognize your worth, you stand on it, and you expect others to pay accordingly.

That’s a beautiful thing.
We should absolutely encourage self-worth, self-confidence, and self-valuation. Know your worth — and charge accordingly — in all aspects of life.

But here’s where I think we miss something important:

We preach this externally, but we often ignore it internally.

And I say we because I’ve been guilty of this too.

The truth is, the price of success also changes — constantly.
We all say we want success. But are we willing to really pay the price? And just as importantly — are we willing to keep paying it?

Because success isn’t a one-time purchase.

It’s due daily, weekly, monthly — and the terms are always changing.

Paying the Price (Over and Over Again)

Some people are absolutely willing to pay the price for success… once.

They grind. They sacrifice. They hustle.
But then they get tired. They get discouraged. They get comfortable. They look at the steep price tag and think: "I already paid this once. Why do I have to pay it again?"

The reality is: You have to pay it again. And again. And again.

Even harder to accept — the price never looks exactly the same.

Sometimes it’s discipline.
Other times it’s discipline plus skill.
Sometimes it’s patience. Other times it's risk-taking, resilience, and strategy — all bundled together.

Success demands that you not only pay up, but also adapt to whatever price it asks today.

A Real-World Example: Paying the Price

Think about an athlete chasing greatness.

At first, the price might simply be showing up to practice every day.
Later, it evolves — extra workouts, strict diet plans, mental coaching.
As they level up, the price increases again — rehabbing injuries, sacrificing personal time, studying game film, hiring specialists.

At each stage, the price changes. But the athlete’s commitment to paying the evolving price is what separates good from great.

The same is true whether you’re building a business, learning a skill, deepening a relationship, or growing personally.

The price goes up.
The currency shifts.
The demand evolves.
And the successful are the ones who stay willing to pay, no matter what it costs.

Final Thoughts

So as you attack your goals today — and every day — remember this:

• There’s a price to pay for success.

• That price is ever-changing.

• And it’s always due.

Your ability and willingness to keep paying — no matter what the cost is today — is what gives you the right to walk into the world, hold your head high, and say confidently:

"YESTERDAY'S PRICE IS NOT TODAY'S PRICE. PAY UP!!"

First to yourself. Then to everybody else.