# 1.4 Change structures that force unsustainable tradeoffs.

Too often, services and treatments focus on narrow or short-term progress but jeopardize a person’s or community’s essential wellbeing assets (e.g., connectedness and belonging, purpose and influence, safety and predictability, access to resources). If these tradeoffs are too great, the change itself is unsustainable. This has been well documented in economic terms as the “cliff effect;” the same dynamic is true for wellbeing overall. Thinking through the tradeoffs of change and listening seriously to them (versus imposing a “provider” or “system” expectation of what is sustainable) is essential to helping people take steps forward, but should not be primarily or solely limited to individual interactions and practices.

Want to learn a little more about the importance of tradeoffs? Check out this [short video](https://youtu.be/AX8eADnW0Ec).&#x20;

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