The Bukowski Test

Seven questions adapted from Bukowski's “Go All The Way.” Answer each honestly. The verdict isn't about whether to do hard things — it's about whether this hard thing is the right one.

1. Would you do this work if no one ever found out you did it?
2. Is the cost of NOT doing it greater than the cost of doing it badly?
3. Are the people closest to you willing to pay the cost alongside you?
4. If this took 10 years and you only broke even, would it still have been worth it?
5. Are you running TOWARD something, not just AWAY from something?
6. Can you name the specific thing you would give up to do this?
7. Will you be proud of how you did this in a year, regardless of outcome?