The Power of Sacrifice: How to Balance Success Without Losing Yourself – An Interview with Roger Knecht

Achieving success often requires sacrifice, but how do we determine how much is too much? Many entrepreneurs and professionals push themselves to the limit, sacrificing personal time, relationships, and even their well-being in the pursuit of growth. While dedication and hard work are essential, overextending ourselves can lead to burnout, regret, and diminished quality of life. Finding the right balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment is crucial, and no one understands this better than Roger Knecht, the President of Universal Accounting Center. With years of experience helping business owners and accounting professionals optimize their work, Roger shares invaluable insights on how to manage responsibilities without losing sight of what truly matters.

In this in-depth interview, Roger Knecht breaks down the fine line between necessary sacrifice and overcommitment. He provides actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs prioritize tasks, delegate effectively, and implement time management techniques that foster both professional and personal success. He also reveals the five keys to success that every business owner should follow to achieve sustainable growth while maintaining a fulfilling life. Whether you’re struggling to juggle responsibilities or looking for ways to improve efficiency without compromising your happiness, this conversation offers essential guidance. Let’s dive into the discussion and learn how to balance success without losing ourselves in the process.

Thank you so much for joining us, Roger! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?

Absolutely! It’s great to be back. My journey started with a passion for helping business owners and accounting professionals succeed. Over the years, I have worked closely with individuals looking to advance their careers, small business owners trying to understand their financials, and entrepreneurs hoping to make their businesses more efficient and profitable. As the President of Universal Accounting Center, my mission is to empower accounting professionals to build premier firms and get paid what they’re worth. I strongly believe that financial success is achievable for anyone willing to put in the effort and learn the right strategies. That’s why I’m passionate about education and mentorship—because when people are given the right tools, they can create incredible results.

Today, we’re diving into the topic of sacrifice—how much is too much? Entrepreneurs often struggle with this. What are your thoughts?

Success always requires some level of sacrifice, but knowing where to draw the line is essential. Every decision we make involves a trade-off. Whether it’s working late instead of spending time with family, investing in a business instead of personal luxuries, or putting off hobbies to focus on professional goals, sacrifices are inevitable. However, the key is understanding which sacrifices are necessary for growth and which are leading to burnout. When sacrifice starts to create regret, disrupts relationships, or negatively impacts your well-being, that’s a clear sign it may be too much. Successful people know that short-term sacrifices can lead to long-term rewards, but they also recognize when to pause and reassess to ensure that success doesn’t come at the expense of their happiness.

That’s so true! Sometimes we sacrifice so much for our businesses that we neglect our personal lives. How can we avoid that?

One of the best ways to avoid this is to assess whether you can be fully present in the moment. If you’re constantly thinking about work while spending time with loved ones, or feeling guilty about taking time for yourself, that’s a major red flag. Many entrepreneurs struggle with this because they feel like they always have to be “on.” The best way to counterbalance this is by setting clear boundaries. Dedicate specific hours to work and specific hours to personal life, and treat them both with equal importance. When spending time with family, put your phone away and be fully engaged. Another helpful strategy is regularly checking in with yourself and those around you. If your loved ones are expressing frustration about how much you’re working, or if you’re feeling exhausted and disconnected, it’s time to reassess your commitments and make adjustments.

Do you have any keys to success? How do we find balance so that sacrifice doesn’t overwhelm us?

Absolutely! There are five key strategies that help maintain balance and avoid becoming overwhelmed by sacrifice. First, assess your priorities. Identify what truly matters and make sure your daily actions align with those values. If family, health, and business success are all important to you, structure your schedule so that none are neglected. Second, delegate tasks. Entrepreneurs often try to do everything themselves, but that’s not sustainable. Whether it’s outsourcing marketing, hiring a virtual assistant, or even sharing household chores, delegation is key to avoiding burnout. Third, time blocking is essential. Set aside dedicated blocks of time for work, family, and personal self-care, and stick to them. Fourth, set boundaries. Saying no to commitments that don’t align with your goals is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. Finally, plan for personal time. Having something on the calendar to look forward to—whether it’s a vacation, a weekend getaway, or simply a day off—helps prevent burnout and ensures you’re maintaining a fulfilling life outside of work.

I love that! Let’s talk about overextending ourselves. Many entrepreneurs take on too much at once. What’s your advice?

Think of it like spinning plates. You can only keep so many in the air before things start crashing down. Entrepreneurs often stretch themselves too thin, trying to balance business growth, personal obligations, and everything in between. The key is recognizing when you’re juggling too much and being willing to set something aside. Overcommitting leads to stress, inefficiency, and a lack of focus on the things that truly matter. Instead of trying to do everything at once, prioritize the activities that have the most impact. Ask yourself what tasks can be delegated, which commitments aren’t adding value, and where you can create more efficiency. Successful entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who do the most; they’re the ones who do the most important things well.

That’s a great analogy! And I’ve seen businesses fail because they expanded too fast or tried to do too much at once.

Exactly. Growth is exciting, but it has to be strategic. Many business owners make the mistake of jumping into new ventures before solidifying their core business. Instead of chasing every opportunity, it’s better to focus on optimizing what’s already working. Expanding too quickly or taking on too many projects at once often leads to spreading resources too thin, ultimately causing financial strain or operational inefficiencies. The best approach is to scale intentionally—ensuring that the foundation is strong before adding more complexity.

Is there something specific you do when you start to feel overextended or realize you’re sacrificing too much?

Yes, and this is where time management comes in. I’m a big believer in time blocking. I structure my schedule in a way that prevents overwhelm. For example, I schedule meetings in the morning and leave my afternoons open for focused work. I also set aside Fridays as a catch-up day, which allows me to tie up loose ends and go into the weekend without carrying unnecessary stress. Another key practice is scheduling time for family and personal activities. I make intentional commitments with my spouse, children, and friends so that I have things to look forward to. Planning these moments in advance helps create balance and ensures that personal relationships don’t suffer due to work demands.

If you had to sum up today’s discussion, what key takeaways would you emphasize?

The main takeaways are that success does require sacrifice, but it should never come at the expense of your health, happiness, or relationships. It’s important to recognize how many “plates” you can realistically keep spinning and to be intentional about where you invest your time and energy. Prioritization is crucial—focus on what truly matters, delegate where possible, and don’t overextend yourself. Time blocking and setting boundaries can help create a sustainable work-life balance. Lastly, always schedule something to look forward to—whether it’s a vacation, a weekend trip, or simply a personal day—to keep yourself motivated and prevent burnout.

I love it! Now, can you tell our readers more about Universal Accounting and the services you offer?

Universal Accounting Center is dedicated to helping accounting professionals and entrepreneurs achieve financial success. We offer specialized training programs for individuals looking to start or grow an accounting, bookkeeping, or tax business. Our goal is to help professionals become more profitable, improve their financial literacy, and build thriving careers. We also provide free resources, including eBooks, personal finance courses, and business planning tools. These resources are designed to help people take control of their financial future, whether they are business owners, aspiring accountants, or professionals looking to enhance their expertise.

Finally, how can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can visit universalaccounting.com for access to our free resources, training programs, and educational tools. They can also connect with me on LinkedIn or tune into my podcast, Building the Premier Accounting Firm, where I interview industry experts and share strategies for success. I encourage anyone looking to improve their financial skills or grow their business to take advantage of these resources!

Roger, thank you so much for taking the time to share these valuable insights with us today. Your expertise and practical strategies will undoubtedly help many people find balance in their pursuit of success. It has been a pleasure speaking with you, and I truly appreciate the wisdom and guidance you’ve shared.

To listen to this insightful podcast episode with Roger Knecht, where we discuss the balance between success and sacrifice, tune in now on https://www.spreaker.com/episode/success-vs-sacrifice-how-to-win-without-losing-yourself–64608258