We are often consumed by visions of success or greatness. And what that takes is often deceiving because movies and writers only like to showcase the exciting parts of winning—the SportsCenter highlights or the six months before the big sale or IPO.

I think about my friend Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan) when he talks about his 10+ years of pounding out post after post, working conference after conference, helping introduce person after person. I’ve heard him tell the story.

But, no one listens. I see people get hyped and charged up. Then they disappear.

So, I thought I would try to help explain what it takes to truly be great.

I’ll bet you still didn’t watch the full four minute video. Unfortunately, that means once again you missed the important lesson of what it really takes to be great.

Go watch the whole thing. Feel the pain and sacrifice. Can you be Great?

(hat tip: ChurchCrunch.com for post idea and video pointer)