As painful as they can sometimes be, trade-offs represent a significant opportunity. By forcing us to weigh both options and strategically select the best one for us, we significantly increase our chance of achieving the outcome we want.
Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, “What do I have to give up?” they ask, “What do I want to go big on?” The cumulative impact of this small change in thinking can be profound.
Nonessentialist
- Thinks, “I can do both.”
- Asks, “How can I do it all?”
Essentialists
- Ask, “What is the trade-off I want to make?”
- Asks, “What can I go big on?”
Trade-offs are not something to be ignored or decried. They are something to be embraced and made deliberately, strategically, and thoughtfully.
* Source: Essentialism by Greg McKeown