Far more important than figuring out how to achieve something, is figuring out how to think about it in a way that empowers you.

There are many things that can seemingly be accomplished with enough sacrifice and hard work. But when you achieve something through sacrifice, you’re merely trading one resource for another. It’s about as much of an accomplish as buying a loaf a bread.

On the other hand, when you achieve an empowering new perspective, you multiply the value of everything around you. Each thought carries you closer and closer to previously imperceptible solutions. It’s like inventing sliced bread and instantly seeing a few applications for it, which soon lead dozens—and then hundreds—more as your singular idea gives birth to a myriad of million dollar industries.

Sometimes trade-offs are the path of least resistance—you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. But when it comes to your life’s work, wouldn’t it be nice to elevate your perspective to a point where the wheels are already spinning in your favor?

It might be a lot easier to get to where you want to be by first finding a vehicle capable of taking you there. And who knows, once you’ve upgraded your means of travel, you may decide on a whole new destination. One that couldn’t be seen when you were merely choosing from the options that seemed achievable, but becomes abundantly obvious when viewed through the lens of what’s dream-able.

Besides, is there any truer achievement than living the life of your dreams? And when you think of the life of your dreams, what role do trade-offs play in it?

If the life of your dreams doesn’t involve making trade-offs, then how much sense does it make to get in the habit of making them now?