The Game of Sacrifice: Living Life Without Sacrifice

We’re all familiar with “The Game of Sacrifice,” whether we’re aware we’re playing or not. It’s that unspoken expectation that, to excel in one area of life, we must give up something in another. Health might be sacrificed for career advancement, or career goals are set aside for family... But does it really have to be this way?

What if we could stop playing the Game of Sacrifice and start living Life by Design—a life where we intentionally create wins across multiple areas in life, without having to sacrifice one for another? In this post, we’ll explore how living life with intentionality and using a holistic approach with a “win/win” mindset, can help us live fully and successfully, without sacrificing what truly matters.

What is “The Game of Sacrifice”?

The Game of Sacrifice isn’t something most of us consciously signed up for; rather, it’s an approach to life that requires the sacrifice of one thing for the success of another. Most people fall into this game without realizing there’s another way. This mindset can leave us feeling like life is pushing us around, forcing difficult choices that often leave us dissatisfied.

Imagine… Climbing the ladder of career. This might lead to late nights and less time for your family and friends, creating the perception of a necessary trade-off that isn’t satisfying in the long term.

Imagine… Putting your family first. But you believe it to mean you have to let go of career goals or personal growth.

This way of thinking creates “wins” in one area of life but leaves us feeling unfulfilled elsewhere. Intentionality allows us to stop merely reacting to life’s demands and instead utilize creativity to find a fulfilling compromise, effectively creating what’s called a “win/win”. A life designed to honor every goal and value.

Win/Lose vs. Lose/Lose vs. Win/Win

When we don’t approach life with intentionality, we default to one of these three mindsets:

1. Win/Lose Approach: Winning in one area of life while sacrificing in another. For instance, achieving career success at the expense of personal health or relationships.

   
   

2. Lose/Lose Approach: Most commonly an approach utilized when we spread ourselves too thin, not giving enough effort or attention to any one domain, juggling demands, being pulled from one thing to another like a leaf in the wind. This approach leads to burnout, stagnation and little to no progress in any area.

   
   

3. Win/Win Approach: A Life by Design embraces the win/win mindset, where successfully integrated into all domains of life, having one area support the growth of another. For example, prioritizing personal health can fuel productivity and happiness in both work and relationships. By setting intentional goals, we can create a life where each success fuels the next.

Life by Design: Living Without Sacrifice

Designing a life with intention means utilizing your creative faculty to set goals that align with all areas of life: health, relationship, career, personal growth, leisure, etc. Rather than sacrificing one domain for another, we create goals that enhance and build upon each area harmoniously. Let’s go over a few win/win approaches to common sacrifices.

Health and Career: Instead of letting work demands erode health, use personal wellness as a way to enhance your career performance and personal satisfaction. Small changes, like healthy meal planning or regular exercise, can boost productivity, performance and resilience.

Relationships and Friendships: Approach relationships with intentionality. Some relationships blend seamlessly with friendships and family dynamics and simply require a little maneuvering or negotiation. Other relationship do not integrate very well or very peacefully. This type of dynamic requires more intentionality around creating and maintaining time in life for both to thrive. This usually also requires effective communication skills.

Career, Hobbies and Fulfillment: With a Life by Design approach, work doesn’t have to be just a job, it can be an extension of our purpose and values, creating fulfillment beyond just financial rewards. In fact, most people today are looking for some type of meaning or purpose in their work beyond just money. The way to discover, implement and enjoy deep purposeful work that leaves you fulfilled and well-off, is to approach life intentionally and holistically.

Intentionality here means designing each part of life to support the whole, allowing us to thrive in all domains.

Practical Steps to Apply Win/Win and Intentionality in Daily Life

Try practicing the win/win mindset with these practical examples, making intentional choices that foster success across multiple areas:

1. In Relationships: Next time you find yourself at an impasse, instead of sacrificing your health, career, friendships, etc., intentionally create a solution that respects both your needs and those of others involved. If you can’t seem to think of a scenario where everyone wins, try asking a few people for ideas. Anything is possible, you just have to find the answer.

   
   

2. At Work: Set boundaries that prioritize your mental/emotional/physical health, like taking regular breaks or setting a specific daily routine. Intentional boundaries with work leads to more productivity and ease at work, plus more health and fulfillment in other domains.

   
   

3. Social Life and Personal Development: Engage in activities that inspire you, such as workshops or group gatherings with like-minded people. This is a win/win that feeds both social life and personal growth.

Final Thoughts

Creating an integrated life… A Life by Design is about living and creating life intentionally. No more being pushed around by life’s demands or circumstances, but instead actively participating in a life that aligns with our values and vision. Next time you’re faced with a “sacrifice,” choose curiosity and creativity to create a win/win solution. With intentionality, the Game of Sacrifice transforms into a game of possibilities, leading to a life of success, purpose, and fulfillment.

Call to Action

Take a moment to practice the win/win mentality this week. Pick one area of life—relationships, work, social activities, or personal development—and consider how an intentional, win/win approach might work out and what it could look like. Start small, be creative, and see how this shift can help you create more joy and less sacrifice in life.