Does your desire to conveniently carry lots of stuff outweigh the stigma of wearing a fanny pack? Is that a tradeoff you’ve made, or that you’re willing to make?
Speaking of tradeoffs, are you conscious of the decisions you’ve already made or are currently making? Some that come to mind:
- Single or married
- Rent or buy
- Kids or no kids
- Leadership or limited responsibility
- Money or time
- Safety or risk
- Stay up late or get up early
If you choose one, you can’t have the other.
For me, there are things like exercise, meditation and podcasting that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t wake up very, very early. I want to be a leader, so I accept the responsibility that comes with it. As an entrepreneur, I value freedom therefore I accept the risks.
And then there’s a harder version of this. One in which you find yourself in a situation accustomed to certain things. You’ve grown accustomed to your lifestyle. You’ve grown accustomed to the car you drive, the food you eat, the places you spend your time. And even though you’re not happy with a lot of your life, you’re not willing to take a step backwards to eventually move two or three steps forward. You’re trapped and the trap is of your own doing.
Because what would people say? What would they think of you?
Is this you? Is your ego stopping you from taking that short-term step back for a long-term step forward? Delaying gratification is a really important tradeoff. Dave Ramsey says “live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later.” Is that you? Could it be?
Take some time to think about the tradeoffs you’ve been making and whether or not they’re truly serving you.
You’re capable of making the changes to live the life you truly want.