As business owners, we’re constantly navigating the fine balance between efficiency and excess, growth and sustainability. Recently, I had a revealing experience with an app called “Too Good To Go” that brought this delicate dance into sharp focus.
For the uninitiated, “Too Good To Go” offers discounted surplus food from restaurants and stores, aiming to combat food waste. Intrigued by the promise of savings and trying new foods, I eagerly downloaded the app and began indulging in what seemed like an endless array of bargains.
Initially, it felt like a win-win – I felt like I was saving money while getting tasty food I wouldn’t usually opt for. But as the days passed, I noticed something unsettling happening in my home. Our refrigerator, typically a model of efficiency with just enough food to last us the week, was now bursting at the seams with excess. Sweet pastries and bagels flooded our freezer, while bags of empanadas and tikka masala took up all of our fridge space.
At first, I brushed it off as a minor inconvenience. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal? But as I struggled to find space amidst the abundance of food, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease creeping in. It dawned on me that I had fallen into the trap of “more” – seduced by the allure of cheap prices and the thrill of abundance, I had lost sight of what truly mattered.
In the world of business, the allure of “more” can be equally intoxicating. We’re bombarded with messages promising bigger profits, faster growth, and greater success. It’s easy to get swept up in the pursuit of expansion without considering the consequences – just like my overflowing refrigerator, our businesses can quickly become bloated with excess, suffocating under the weight of unsustainable growth.
But herein lies the paradox: true success isn’t measured by the quantity of our possessions or the size of our bottom line. It’s about finding the delicate balance between ambition and restraint, between growth and sustainability. Just as I learned to discern between what I want and what I need in my refrigerator, so too must we learn to distinguish between what truly serves our businesses and what is merely excess.
So, what can we learn from my experience with “Too Good To Go”? Firstly, it’s a great app and a dang fun way to cheaply try new restaurants in the area. But perhaps more importantly, I’ve relearned the importance of mindfulness – being conscious of our consumption habits and the impact they have on our lives and businesses. Secondly, the value of restraint – learning to say no to opportunities that don’t align with our values or long-term goals. And finally, the power of simplicity – finding contentment in having just enough, rather than constantly chasing after more.
As business owners, let’s heed this cautionary tale and strive for a more balanced approach to success. Let’s resist the allure of “more” and instead focus on what truly matters – building businesses that are not only profitable but also sustainable, ethical, and aligned with our values.
In the end, it’s not about how much we have, but rather how wisely we use what we’ve been given. So let’s embrace the beauty of simplicity and lead our businesses with intention, purpose, and integrity.