I'm currently reading The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant. It’s a history book with a philosophical twist. Each chapter walks through history in the context of a subject: Earth, Biology, Race, Character, Morals, Religion, Economics, Socialism, Government, War, and Growth and Decay.
The authors describe the inevitable trade-offs and the consequences of these trade-offs that arise throughout history. Depending on the subject, the impacts of these trade-offs can be reversible or permanent.
In general, I find it very liberating to know that when X is done, Y will happen. It gives you a feeling of control when you’re aware of the consequences.
It’s the reason why I exercise almost every morning.
It’s a trade-off I choose to make. I choose to sleep a little less in exchange for starting my day in an enhanced mood. I know that if I break a sweat early in the morning, I’m in a better mood and I’ll feel more alive and energized for the rest of the day.
Reading about these trade-offs led me to reflect more on the trade-offs in my own life.
We all consider these trade-offs before making big decisions like choosing which career path to take or deciding where to live, but how many of us actually map out the trade-offs we take on?
As the book explains, these tradeoffs are not one-and-done decisions. They shape our life trajectory, sometimes in permanent ways.
Are we truly aware of the trade-offs and consequences we’re making? Could they be working against each other? I believe it's something to think about and strategize around.