Life isn’t about maximising happiness in every area – it’s about balancing priorities and learning when to compromise. But that’s easier said than done. Every decision we make pulls from one area of life to give to another, and it’s not always clear which trade-offs are worth making.
What if we stopped chasing perfection in every part of life and instead focused on making thoughtful compromises? By redistributing our time and energy across life’s competing demands, we can optimise happiness as a whole.
Happiness isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. We have multiple life domains, such as work, family, health, leisure and relationships. Often, we’re more satisfied in some areas than others. For instance, you might feel content with your family life but frustrated at work. Or maybe your health is thriving, but you’re not spending enough time with friends.
We tend to strive for maximum happiness in all areas – a perfect score across the board. But life doesn’t work that way. Each domain demands time, energy and resources, and there are only so many hours in a day. Trying to maximise every aspect of life is not only unrealistic but also exhausting.
Achieving balance requires compromise, and compromise often involves giving something up. This is where the concept of loss aversion comes into play – the idea that we feel the pain of loss more strongly than the good feeling from gaining the same amount. For example, losing $100 feels worse than finding $100 feels good.
When faced with a compromise, the idea of giving something up can feel painful. It’s easy to focus on what we’re losing rather than what we might gain. But compromise isn’t about loss – it’s about trading something of lesser importance for something of greater value.
Imagine you’re deciding between spending more time on your hobby or with your family. You might need to scale back on leisure to invest more in your family life. While this might initially feel like a loss, the larger gain in family happiness can more than make up for it.
Of course, money plays a pivotal role in our decisions and priorities. Financial stability is often a foundation upon which other areas of life depend. For instance, earning a higher income may enable you to provide for your family or enjoy leisure activities, but it often comes at the cost of time or energy.
However, just as with any other domain, it’s crucial to ask yourself what you’re truly gaining or giving up in pursuit of financial success. Is working overtime to earn more worth the extra stress or the time lost with loved ones? It’s not about making more money at all costs but rather about understanding how financial decisions fit into the broader picture of your life.
Money also ties into the concept of opportunity cost – the idea that choosing one option inherently means giving up another. This principle underlines many of life’s trade-offs. Every decision carries an opportunity cost: by choosing one path, you’re forgoing another. The challenge lies in weighing these opportunity costs and deciding what’s most valuable to you in the long run.
Maintaining balance requires seeing the big picture. When we focus too narrowly on one life domain, we lose sight of how our choices impact our overall happiness. Instead, think of it as a redistribution of resources: scaling back in one area allows you to invest in another. This perspective helps you navigate trade-offs with clarity and intention.
For instance, you’re debating whether to accept a promotion that comes with a significant pay rise but also longer hours. This decision might seem straightforward if you only consider the financial gain. However, when you weigh the opportunity cost – less time with family, fewer hours for hobbies, or increased stress – the choice becomes more nuanced. By carefully evaluating these trade-offs, you can make a decision that aligns with your priorities and maximises your overall happiness.
Compromise is not about settling; it’s about optimising. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s finding a balance that works for you. Sometimes, giving up a little in one area can lead to far greater happiness in another.
It’s also worth remembering that it’s rare to find a solution that feels ideal in every way. When you accept this reality, decision-making becomes less about achieving a mythical perfect balance and more about making choices that reflect your personal values. If you’re clear on what matters most, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the opportunity costs that come with each decision.
Ultimately, life is about choices. While it’s tempting to chase maximum happiness in every domain, true satisfaction comes from knowing where to invest your time and energy.
Next time you face a tough decision, ask yourself: What am I gaining? What’s worth the trade? When you take the time to consider your priorities with intention, you’ll discover that compromise isn’t a sacrifice – it’s a strategy for optimising happiness.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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Rating: 3.5/5
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Director: Christopher McQuarrie
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Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
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Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
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