The Curse of Availability: How Easy Access Is Damaging Our Life?

Leadership

The abundance or easy availability of things often leads to a decrease in their value. You may have noticed this when you finally purchase the dress you’ve been eyeing for months, only to have it sit unused in your closet. Or perhaps you’ve become bored of the fruit from the trees in your backyard, despite once finding it delicious. This phenomenon extends beyond material possessions and can also apply to human relationships.

We have a tendency to take for granted those who are readily available to us, including our friends, family, and coworkers. As leaders, we may unknowingly be guilty of this when it comes to our staff and project teams. It’s only when we lose these relationships that we realise their true value, and by then, it may be too late. In some cases, irreparable damage has already been done. Easy access is damaging our life.

Consider the potential consequences at both a personal and business level. There is value in stepping back and recognising the value of the people in our lives. Maybe we find ways to genuinely make them special!

The small steps can make a big difference in preserving the value of our relationships. Let us keep trying!