Opportunity Knocks

If opportunities lost are opportunities gained,
How do you decide which option is of greater value to you?

According to the Economic Law of Opportunity Cost: The cost of any activity is measured in terms of the best alternative forgone. Or in lamen terms, choose X as a consequence of Y. Each of us are forced to make 5,138,462 decisions on a daily basis-- some more pivotal than others. Whether it be weighing two possible job offers, or choosing between a toothpaste from an impossibly large toiletry aisle- a decision is really just another type of commitment.

Economists posit that the notion of opportunity costs protects resources, ensuring efficiency amongst a sea of competitive markets. Take my final choice of toothpaste for example, which promises tarter protection & extra whitening. If there weren't another 500 toothpastes on the market, Crest would have been less motivated to provide such a great product. As such, competition- or having the option to choose between multiple opportunities- also safeguards quality. Encouraging both utility and appreciation for minty fresh breathe.

Despite man's entitlement and taste for excess, the world is a finite place. Resources are precious, and materials are scarce. Aside from physical matter, i.e. fossil fuels, water, etc., capital can also be measured in terms of time & degrees of pleasure. One must decide what is more valuable to you-- time with your children or having a few extra Benjamen's in the bank. According to the Law of Opportunity Cost, it is the price of the opportunity relinquished.

Business execs make decisions by weighing the factors involved, a cost and benefit what have you. If that's the case, can't life be equated to a giant cost and benefit analysis? Think about it.. There are trade offs, and opportunities for increasing returns. There are factors of production (the time you spent preparing for an important presentation), and decisions made at the margin. And then there is equilibrium-- when both opportunities present equal advantages and moral aptitude must come into play.

Where do you draw the line and choose a team? Knowing full well that the colors you rep will determine what type of opportunities are available to you in the future. What do you invest your time in? And who do you invest it with? Or risk it with, rather.. As people risk heartbreak for love because the returns are just that big.

It boils down to priorities, really. Or the motives behind each action. If you were to place your priorities in the formation of a pyramid, what would reign on top? The party on Saturday night, or the exam on Monday morning? Each has it's benefits sure.. but one is undoubtedly more shallow and quick to satisfy than the other.

What are you willing to give up for the objects on top? Deeming the bottom options expendable. And if the right opportunity does present itself-- will you be confident enough to go after it? Or will you get stuck in the toiletry aisle.. Not having enough faith in yourself to trust your intuition.