The cost of what you want

There are no solutions, only trade-offs. This quote from renowned economist Thomas Sowell highlights the core reality I want to discuss: everything has a cost. Recognizing that costs are inherent in anything we pursue helps us make more informed decisions and approach our ambitions with eyes wide open.

Consider someone who dreams of fame. Once achieved, they may become frustrated by the loss of privacy. Climbing the corporate ladder for income or status has similar costs. Senior managers often face high stress and demands, harming their health and relationships.

There are also some who fear the cost of success or change without knowing exactly what they are afraid of.  In such cases, this can become an unconscious barrier to success.  I have known people who had a lot of potential to excel in organisations but did not pursue promotions or seek recognition.  If we don’t know what we are afraid of or why we don’t want something, we cannot make informed choices.  As much as I do believe in trusting your intuition, this does not mean allowing emotions to make your decisions for you.

It is difficult to look to the future and know how you will feel or what you will experience when you achieve your goals.  There are no guarantees in life.  However, we are sometimes blinded but the success and allure we think achieving our goals will bring. Comedian and actor Jim Carey made a good point when he said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that that’s not the answer.” On the other hand, if some vague fear of success holds you back, you may be undermining your true potential.

When you get clear on the costs of what you want or the trade-offs you need to accept, you can assess whether the compromise is worth it to you.  Fear will never help us make the best decisions, and fear will affect our decisions if we allow it to lurk just below our level of awareness.  Awareness is the key to living a fulfilling, satisfying, and happy life.