Little Concessions

Little Concessions

Success demands sacrifice, and when working toward a goal, it’s often essential to give up certain comforts.

While some sacrifices make you stronger, others chip away at your foundation, leading to complete collapse.

If you’re not careful, you can slowly give up your power, agency and personal authority, until one day you realize your music has died and you’ve nothing left to offer.

However, with awareness you can catch harmful sacrifices before they become patterns, and reclaim control of your life. Let’s take a look at three of the most common.

1. Your Opinion
Wherever you work, there are standard operating policies and procedures. Protocols build the backbone of corporate culture, and provide an essential stabilizing force. However, left unexamined, this can create an expectation of “follow orders, keep your head down and get the job done.” Your voice is one of the most important gifts you offer your company and the world. When you self-silence, you build the belief that you don’t matter, which ultimately leads to cynicism and apathy.

2. Your Self Care
“I’ll treat myself once I finish this project.” “I can’t afford a spa day right now.” “Vacation? Who has time for a vacation?”

You are your priority. If you don’t make yourself a priority, no one else will. Rest. Recharge. Replenish your energy. Make it a daily, weekly AND monthly ritual, and you’ll avoid toxic stress buildup and destructive coping strategies.

3. Your Values
The desire to “fit in and get along” is natural understandable. However, when keeping the peace involves compromising your values, you pave the way for shame, depression, and loads of self-doubt. Stand strong in your values, and you’ll create strength and resiliency in all areas of your life…which is obviously good for everyone.

Success demands sacrifice, but you don’t have to give up the parts that make you powerful.

How will you honor yourself today?