“There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.” —Thomas Sowell
There is always a trade-off. But that’s not the issue. The question is, is the trade-off worth it?
Product A may be a superior product, but it may cost more. Provider B may be cheaper, but they may take longer to get finished. Project C may be a great opportunity, but is it worth the extra time it will require?
Realizing that there are always trade-offs can both be frustrating and liberating. If we’re looking for the perfect solution—one with no trade-offs—we’re bound to be disappointed. But understanding this reality can also free us up from feeling the need to find ‘the one.’
Trade-offs are inevitable. And that’s ok. The question is, do we understand what the trade-offs are in a given situation? Some trade-offs will be more important to us than others. And being clear on what they are can help us decide which ones are worth it.