This past weekend my mother-in-law was kind enough to buy me a few shirts as a gift. Their purpose? Something to wear while rock climbing, running, hiking, and other outdoor activities. They’re made of specially-engineered materials that wick away sweat, dry quickly, inhibit odor, and provide SPF 50 sun protection.
They also cost $40 each. For what looks like a plain, single-colored t-shirt.
Here’s where it gets interesting
The shirts are made using sustainably sourced materials (recycled and organic). They’re constructed in facilities with sustainable labor conditions paying sustainable wages (not sweatshops). They’re guaranteed for life.
That’s right. If I damage the shirt, I send it in and they’ll either repair or replace it. They do what they can to repair, and only replace as a last resort.
For $40 I got a shirt that I could presumably wear for the rest of my life. The salesperson said something interesting:
“Be careful to only buy what you need. I mean, sure we’re in the business of selling clothes. But we want you to have what you need, not excess.”
Compare this to every shirt I’ve ever bought in the past
They came from a big box store. Wrapped in plastic. 12 shirts for $15. Made in sweatshops, out of god-knows-what materials. They wear out after about a year of use, and I throw them in the garbage.
An analogy (or metaphor?)
In one hand I hold a pack of 12 shirts for $15. In the other I hold one shirt, superior in every way, for $40. Which do I purchase? It takes discipline and sacrifice to save $40 and spend it on a single item. The 12-pack gives instant gratification (and even meets a genuine need in the short term).
I think life works the same way.
- You can crash-diet and sign up for a 90-day extreme workout routine. Or you can show up every day and live a sustainably healthy life, conscious of what you put into your body and making small steps every day to improve your fitness level.
- You can take shortcuts to rush a job to completion and cover over mistakes. Or you can exert the artistry and determination that it takes to go the extra mile, producing something of genuine quality.
- You can refer to solution manuals and cram for exams to pass a course. Or you can exercise discipline and sacrifice in the moment, and reap a reward in the long term.
Conclusion
Invest in a few high-quality items rather than a multitude of cheap crap. Invest in yourself long term, rather than seeking the shortcut of the week. After all, the journey is the reward.
