Sacrifice Without Purpose Is Cruelty

Bill Carrier is a West Point grad, scholar, and leadership coach (amongst other things). In an interview with Michael Bungay Stanier, he dropped this gem, 

Sacrifice without purpose is cruelty. 

If you want someone to give something up, you had better also have a damn good reason why. 

And not just logically. 

Psychologically too. 

Because we don’t stick to formulas alone, especially cruel ones, unless they can make us feel like there’s a purpose behind them. 

You won’t go on a diet unless you have a specific, emotionally-based goal for why. 

The same goes for saving money, sticking to investments during hard times, changing careers, or… the list goes on. 

Sacrifice without purpose is cruel – to a past, present, and future version of ourselves.  

And on the bright side, sacrifice with purpose is kind – to who we were, who we are, and who we are striving to be. 

If this resonates, do check out, “Navigate a VUCA world with Bill Carrier” on The Best of MBS podcast.

ps. VUCA is a military/management acronym for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.