The Challenge of Making the Right Choices

People know it’s best to eat healthy but they also want to eat what they want, when they want. The cookie seems to win.

Some businesses know that cutting that pet project is best, but they like the perks that it brings to them personally, so the project seems to win.

The Importance of Trade-Offs

Michael Porter says that “a strategic position is not sustainable unless there are trade-offs”.

In a culture of abundance, this might be the hardest principle for leaders today. It forces us to truly understand the consequences of our decisions and to make a clear choice between two options that both seem optimal.

In Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, he gives us a great perspective on trade-offs. He states “trade-offs are not about asking to give something up. Instead it’s about asking what do I want to go big on?”

Critical Questions to Guide Your Strategic Trade-Off Decisions

As you think about trade-offs in your life and business, ask yourself these questions:

• What do I want to go BIG on?

• What outcomes do I really want at the end of this year?

• Is this choice going to bring me closer or farther away from the one BIG outcome?

Achieve Long-Term Success by Prioritizing What Truly Matters

Making strategic trade-offs is essential for achieving long-term success both personally and professionally. By understanding the consequences of your decisions and focusing on what truly matters, you can align your choices with your most important goals. Embrace the disciplined pursuit of less, prioritize what you want to go big on, and let this clarity guide you toward the outcomes you desire.