In this post, I am not referring to giving as in giving money to a charity or a local cause. I am referring to giving something (think give a concession) to get something (a different concession). I think a lot of people forget about this exchange that typically needs to happen. Certainly, the politicians in D.C. have forgotten how to give anything. They all seem to think that they can have everything their way, all the time, without giving up anything. That is just not how life works.
I think about my part time job and how everyone wants to have a certain schedule. I want to have a certain schedule, too. But I realize that when I ask for a certain schedule, it comes with some concessions on my part. If I can only work specific days, it’s not really fair of me to then add on that I want to work the prime shift only. That would be me getting and getting some more. That sounds a lot like me winning and the other person (or people) losing. That’s how Congress seems to work right now: They all want to win and they all want the other side to lose. That is a lousy way to run anything, especially the government. So for my work example, I was firm on the days that I could work, but I was open to the shift that needed to be covered. That way, I got part of what I wanted, and my manager got part what he wanted. That sounds more like a win-win to me.
This idea goes far beyond just work. I think most things in life can and should be a compromise. Compromise, though, means that everyone has to give something to get something. For the takers out there, sooner or later all the taking will catch up to you. You may be able to take and take some more, but if you look at the bigger picture, you are likely losing something that you can’t even see, like relationships. It’s far better to give something up front than to lose more at the back end.