When you look back on the year that is almost coming to a close, can you recall the instances in which you had to compromise? It could have been a small compromise like allowing a mediocre idea to be presented to a client or a major one like having done something against your value system just because it was the easier solution. It could have been skipping your work out day after day because you were too exhausted or not having a difficult conversation because you didn’t want to risk displeasing the other person.
Did the number of times you had to compromise add up to a lot? How does it make you feel in hindsight? Were the shortcuts worth it or do you regret how many times you simply didn’t persist with something you believed in or wanted to do?
“It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” Tony Robbins
Many of us are unconsciously making daily compromises on big and small things in our life whether they are related to our relationships, our career, our health, our values or anything else. The result is not only longer term regret but also erosion of your self-worth and self-esteem. Every time you compromise, you are making a choice of someone you are not and that can, over time, be very damaging to your mental and even physical health.
Does not compromising means you could become selfish and not give a care to what others feel? That is definitely a risk. So it’s very important to differentiate between the major things in life that you should not compromise on and the little things you may compromise on that won’t make a material difference to you.
Don’t compromise on pursuing a goal just because it’s difficult. Don’t allow a misdemeanour at work to go unreported if it’s against your values. But it’s ok to compromise and allow your husband to put on the TV even if it irritates you because you know how much he loves it!
Could 2023 be the year you stop compromising?
Over to you now:
What areas of your life are you consistently compromising on?
Where can you dig your heels in deeper and not compromise?
Which aspect of your life desperately needs a no compromise approach?