This past week, I took the time to go through my refrigerator and check the dates on everything. It’s something I do periodically, but I had been putting it off this time. Mainly because I already knew this was going to be one of those times where I would be facing something that I despise: Waste.
There is nothing that will spark negative thoughts for me faster than seeing waste. Especially when the waste could have easily been avoided. Like with those groceries. It reminded me of how we all have such good intentions that, somehow, don’t come to fruition. Especially at this time of year. And right now is usually when we first start feeling those pangs of remorse.
I had great plans to eat salads every day. But then I didn’t. Now I have wasted food.
I had great plans to accelerate my weight loss. But since I chose other foods, now I have wasted time.
I had great plans to boost my energy by eating foods that would help. Since I didn’t, I have wasted time and potential.
Waste.
It’s why resolve became so important to me for this year. When we practice true resolve and do what we say we will do, we reduce our waste. We regain essentials like time and energy. And yes, even money.
But to have resolve, we must first make choices we can and will honor.
Which is another place that I am keenly aware of when it comes to waste.
Wasted belief and opportunity.
There is a phrase sometimes used in business negotiations that, when you stop and think about it, has a broader application. It speaks to the difference between what someone actually pays and how much they were willing to pay. It’s referred to as the seller perhaps leaving “money on the table” by underpricing or giving in to negotiation pressure. It comes down to how much was possible from the transaction vs. how much was realized.
Let’s think about this beyond just financial negotiations and look at how we negotiate with ourselves about our lives and work. Over the past few months, I have found myself asking: How much life am I leaving on the table? Is there a difference between how much life is possible vs. how much I am settling for?
In a word – Yes.
This is where we wander into the wasteland of lost opportunities.
As I thought about this, the first thing that came to mind was learning how to recognize when it is happening. After all, how would we ever know?
Wisdom from Thomas Edison prompted this personal inquiry for me with this statement: “When you think you have exhausted all of the possibilities, remember this: You haven’t!”
I thought about all the factors that might create a limited perspective of what was possible.
There were five that kept coming up. Here they are:
- Limiting Beliefs
- Limiting Choices
- Limiting Circle
- Limiting Practices
- Limiting Purpose
There is no question that when we limit what we believe about ourselves and our possibilities, we are leaving life on the table. After all, if we don’t think it’s possible, we won’t even try.
And the idea of only an either/or limitation in choice has always befuddled me. I lean toward both, or more, rather than just allowing for one or the other. Since when did choices become mutually exclusive? One way of thinking about this is: Why settle for A or H – why not choose both and create AHA! True creativity rejects choices that are limited. Just imagine if we had settled for red and blue and never discovered purple!
There is a belief often taught in personal development circles that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. While there are nuances to that, there is a kernel of truth here. Our sphere of influence is so important. How can you expect to stay inspired and encouraged if no one you are in the trenches with shares your vision or ideals?
The idea of limiting practices is typically my nemesis. Wanting to attain something is good, and it’s a start, but wanting something isn’t what gets it done. Our daily practices make that happen. We think of this for our health without question. But it’s true in our work as well. What must happen every day or every week to move the needle forward?
When we limit what we are willing to do daily, we leave life on the table. As I heard recently, when we aren’t achieving what we want, it’s rarely a lack of knowledge or know-how. We know what to do. We just don’t seem to know how to get ourselves to do it consistently! Sound familiar?
Candidly, the last one on the list came first or second when I first started thinking about this, but as new ones came up, it kept getting pushed down. I’m giving that some thought, but for now, consider that if you don’t have an unfettered purpose, you are leaving so much on the table.
It speaks to belief but goes beyond it. This is where we think about 10X, 100X, or possibly 1000X factors for what we believe we can accomplish. Not for ourselves, but as an agent of change in the world. I may have to rethink where this one ranks on the list.
What do you want to be true 90 days from now in your life or work? At the end of 2026? By the end of this decade?
Consider these factors for yourself. Make sure you aren’t leaving any life on the table.
Don’t waste a single moment more. Claim it all for yourself, for those you love, and for all the generations to follow.
If you’re not certain which area is the best place for you to begin and want a fresh perspective on how to interrogate what has value and reimagine what’s possible, I can help. Let’s explore what’s possible together.
Because everything we choose to fully invest in now becomes part of the foundation for what’s possible next.
