This is my ongoing series with notes as I explore the concept of Essentialism.
The unimportance of practically everything
A strategic position is not sustainable unless there are trade-offs with other positions.
The reality is, saying yes to any opportunity by definition requires saying no to several others. Trade-offs are real and we can’t “do it all.” We can either make the hard choices for ourselves or allow others–whether our colleagues, our boss, or our customers–to decide for us. We can try to avoid the reality of trade-offs, but we can’t escape them.
A Nonessentialist approaches every trade-off by asking, “How can I do both?” Essentialists ask, “Which problem do I want?” An Essentialist makes trade-offs deliberately. Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, “What do I have to give up?” they ask, “What do I want to go big on?” The cumulative impact of this small change in thinking can be profound.
Nonessentialist
Thinks “I can do both.”
Asks, “How can I do it all?”
Essentialist
Asks, “What is the trade-off I want to make?”
Asks, “What can I go big on?”
Trade-offs are not something to be ignored or decried. They are something to be embraced and made deliberately, strategically, and thoughtfully.