Stop Compromising, Start Creating

The recent election reminded me of something fundamental about choice—not just in politics, but in life and business. Too often, we feel trapped by limited, binary options, each requiring some level of compromise, neither feeling completely true to who we would like to be. Most of the time, though, we don’t have to accept these compromises. Instead, we can choose to create a path that truly aligns with our values and vision.

Rejecting the Illusion of Binary Choices

For all the talk about forks in the road between a (preordained) good choice and a (preordained) bad one, I have never actually seen one.

Choices often look like clear, binary options: this path or that one, right or wrong, “success” or “failure.” Society often reinforces this either/or thinking, implying that one option is “better” while the other is a loss. But in reality, we aren’t limited to preset paths laid out before us. We all have the power to create options that don’t yet exist, options that fully align with what we want to achieve.

Embrace the Power of Creation Over Compromise

Founders and leaders know that true innovation isn’t about selecting from what’s currently available. It’s about envisioning what could be. For example, when building my business, I don’t restrict myself to current norms or what others suggest. Instead, I envision what feels most authentic and then work to bring that vision to life.

The act of creation allows us to bypass compromise altogether. Rather than choosing between two unsatisfactory paths, we can create a new option that serves us fully, eliminating the need to “make do” with less.

Steps to Start Creating Your Own Path

1. Recognize Limitations in Binary Thinking: When you feel boxed in, pause and question whether there’s another way (and what it might look like).

2. Envision Your Ideal Outcome: Clearly visualize what you want—imagine a path that doesn’t yet exist but could fully support your values and goals.

3. Commit to Creation: Open yourself to the possibility that this new path is achievable. By aligning your actions with your ideal vision, you can bring it into reality.

4. Take Action: Talk about your new reality. See if others are interested. Create with them, one small step at a time.

In any area of life, from business to personal decisions, choosing to create with the new rather than compromise with the old sets a powerful precedent.

More and more you will find yourself creating what is right for you rather than accepting the status quo.

As the year comes to a close, let go of limited options and focus on the new paths you can create. In doing so, you’ll build a business (and a life) that truly reflects who you are and what you’re here to achieve.