 The Law of Trade-Offs: To Grow, You Must Give Something Up.
[Click here to watch the video] Hey, team Bill Storm here with you. Today, we will continue our journey through John Maxwell's book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. We will focus specifically on law number 11, The Law of Trade-offs. John Maxwell says, "To grow, you must give something up." Boy, that hit home with me. So, I'm going to take you on a journey back to 1998, when I became the CEO of my own life. At that point in my life, I had a secure job. I knew exactly how much money I was going to make. I had health insurance, and most things people would want to feel safe. However, I was miserable because it didn't match the blueprint of how I wanted my life to be. I had been married for three years and complained to my wife religiously that I wasn't happy, but I didn't have enough leverage on myself. I didn't have a big enough "why" at that point to do something about it, to make a sacrifice, or to give something up. That leverage came in February of 1998. By then, my wife was pregnant with our first child. Suddenly, I had this feeling like ice in my veins. I realized that if I didn't do something about my unhappiness, I would fail as a father before I even became one. Why? Because my number one “moving towards value” was freedom. I wanted to be present for my children. I didn't want to miss out on games, concerts, activities, or even a trip to the principal's office if necessary. I didn't want to be in a situation where I had to ask permission or be unable to be present for my children because I was under someone else's thumb. That was unacceptable to me. So, what did I do? I made a decisive decision to quit my job immediately. It was a scary thing to do, to say the least! My goal was to start my own business, but I had never run my own business before. I didn't know what I was getting into. Fear kicked in, especially since my wife was no longer working. She was nine months pregnant, and we planned for her to stay home and raise our children. That left me as the sole breadwinner in the house. But somehow, I mustered up the courage to do it. I put myself in a do-or-die situation. Going from a place of security and into the unknown without knowing the outcome was frightening. John Maxwell's Law of Trade-offs emphasizes the necessity of making conscious decisions to sacrifice certain things to gain others that are more valuable. Growth and progress often require relinquishing comfort, security, or familiar routines to advance personally and professionally. Here are the core concepts John talks about: 1. Intentional Sacrifice John says growth often requires sacrificing short-term pleasures for long-term gains. Growth involves making choices that align with one's higher goals and aspirations. I had to give up a steady paycheck and health insurance benefits in the short term. I sacrificed short-term pleasures because I knew that if I succeeded in creating my own business, my income would be substantially higher, I would have more freedom of time, and I could purchase my own health insurance. Aligning with my higher goals and aspirations pulled me through this challenging period. 2. Value Assessment Not all trade-offs are equal. Effective leaders assess the value of what they're giving up against the potential benefits of what they stand to gain. This requires a clear understanding of one's priorities and values. I had to weigh the potential benefits of starting my own business against the cost of staying in a job that didn't align with my values. The potential future income, freedom, and relationships with my children and family outweighed the short-term security of my job. 3. Personal Responsibility Taking responsibility for one's growth means recognizing that trade-offs are part of the journey. Individuals must take personal ownership of their decisions and the outcomes they produce. As the late, great Zig Ziglar said, "If it is to be, it is up to me." Nobody was going to make the change for me. I had to take personal responsibility for quitting my job and starting my own business. 4. Embrace Change Growth necessitates change, which often comes with discomfort. Embracing change and stepping out of one's comfort zone is essential for achieving new levels of success. If we're not growing, we're dying. Embracing change as a good thing and nurturing it is crucial for personal development. I had to plant new seeds, try new things, and nurture them until they became part of my identity. 5. Risk and Reward Every trade-off involves some level of risk. The willingness to take calculated risks can lead to significant rewards while playing it safe can result in missed opportunities. Friends and family often mean well, but their caution can be unhelpful. As a leader and progressive thinker, I had already weighed the consequences. I wasn't being risky; I was taking an educated risk, betting on myself to succeed. In the end, making daily trade-offs is essential for leaders. Yes, you may give something up, but it may also set you up for something much better. The Law of Trade-offs teaches that every significant advancement comes with a cost. Understanding and managing these trade-offs is crucial for achieving sustained personal and professional growth. By sharing my experience and the core concepts of the Law of Trade-offs, I hope to inspire you to evaluate your life and make the necessary sacrifices to align with your higher goals and aspirations. Remember, significant growth often requires giving something up. Are you ready to make your trade-offs? Bill Storm P.S. If you like today's message, here are several ways I can help you grow faster…
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