How To Master The Art of Trade-Offs

Have you ever wonder how the ultra-successful, ultra high-performing people of the world obtain such a degree of success and performance, despite not being bothered by the level of sacrifice they make?

Or even how they know what the right sacrifices to make are?

Well, largely it comes down to 1 concept, 1 universal law.

And that is trade-offs.

Understand that every single action you take and every single decision you make is simply this - you choose one thing at the expense of another.

You choose to go to bed early, but give up scrolling or time partying.

You choose to create one piece of content over another.

You choose to work harder for longer to get more done, but give up free time.

You choose to drink more water over not.

You choose to chase a certain goal, meaning you can’t chase another.

I could go on and on and on.

Think about it.

When you do one thing you quite literally are choosing not to do 1000 others every single time.

When you decide to go with option x, you are quite literally deciding not to go with option y.

You must realise this.

Most entrepreneurs try to do everything at once and end up annoyed, upset, and overwhelmed when they can’t.

And it’s simply because they don’t understand that everything is a trade off.

BUT, the most crucial component of a trade-off is that there is no right or wrong.

You can go out tonight and party if you want, but recognise that you’re trading off peak performance, maximum energy and mental sharpness for 2-5 days.

You don’t have to work harder or longer, but realise you’ll make less progress.

You don’t have to optimise your mindset, but realise you’ll not be operating on the edge of your current actualised potential.

You don’t have to make a change in your sales system, but realise you can’t get a change if you don’t create a change.

Understanding this is one of the keys to prioritising, having enough time to focus on what matters and not getting overwhelmed in the process.

You must, in every situation, choose your trade off.

What hedonistic pleasure are you willing to give up for what gain?

What gain are you willing to give up for what hedonistic pleasure?

Like I said, there is no right or wrong. There are only trade offs you’re either willing to make or not.

Of course, some actions and decisions will have a higher efficacy in moving you in the direction of your goal, and in turn, some actions and decisions will have a higher level of intrinsic value, meaning and be objectively “better”.

That doesn’t make them “right” or “wrong”, but it does mean you must understand what you want. It means you must have a direction for both your life and business.

One of the primary purposes of a goal is as a filter. You can use it to judge what actions and decisions are the better option based on their ability to move you toward your goal, and in turn, help you decide what trade off to make.

Bigger goals, bigger ambitions will always require more trade offs in terms of both volume and extremity. You don’t build a billion dollar business without sacrificing almost everything else. You don’t become Michael Jordan or Mike Tyson without sacrificing almost everything else.

The art of trade-offs is the art of success.

But another facet that must be considered is that life works in seasons - and each season can have a different trade-off priority.

For example, maybe right now you’re in the process of growing from 6-7, 7-8 or 8-9 figures in your business. To achieve something so lofty, this season of your life will require every trade off to prioritise your current goal.

But let's say 6 months, 1 year or 5 years pass. Your goal has been achieved. That season has ended and a new one has begun. In turn, maybe you want to prioritise something else - family time, travel, another business goal.

Or, in present, maybe you’re not willing to trade off every hour of your day to be spent on your business and you still want time with your family - and in turn, 50% of your trade-offs prioritise business and 50% prioritise family.

My point is this - everything you do is a trade off.

You must, again, must, be conscious of what you’re choosing to do and in turn, what you’re choosing not to do - so that you can be aware of if you’re making the right choices for what you want in your life.

So keep this in mind at all times.

There are no right or wrong decisions, only trade offs.

What is the trade off you’re willing to make for your goals?

What are you giving up in this choice? There is no right or wrong, only the trade-offs you’re willing to make.

— Ross

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