Opportunity cost is the value of the path not taken
The real cost of a choice includes the best alternative that must be given up.
Takeaway
A decision is not only about whether something is good; it is about what it displaces.
What I learned
Opportunity cost means the value of the next best alternative given up when choosing one option. It makes tradeoffs explicit.
Why it matters
Many choices look attractive in isolation. The harder question is whether the same time, money, or attention would create more value somewhere else.
Question
When I say yes to this, what am I quietly saying no to?