Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like you should have known better and ended up regretting a decision to take on a commitment or opportunity?
In a recent career coaching session, the process of evaluating big decisions came up. While each situation is unique, it does help to have some criteria to evaluate with. Here are a few questions I walk coaching clients through when they face big decisions.
Does this offer, request or opportunity align with my overall goals for my life at this time?
If it does align with your goals at this time, then explore a plan to make it happen. Evaluate your time and resources and see how you can make it work.
If the opportunity doesn’t align with your goals, then a simple, “No” will work here. “No” is a complete reply. However, there are times when you might want to soften that reply, or explain. If you do, be firm and final.
Sometimes a great opportunity comes up at a not-so-great time. Is this something that would work for you later? If so, can it be delayed or is it a time sensitive opportunity? If you can’t make a career move now and there is an opportunity, be candid and let them know that while you are very interested, the timing is off. Keep the lines of communication and ask if you can keep in touch and reach out if your situation changes.
Do I have the capacity to take this on now?
Keep in mind that “capacity” can mean many things. It may be physical energy, time, money, resources, or even the opportunity cost of what you would be saying “no” to in order to take this on.
A season of life with young children at home may not be the moment to take on a job with a long commute and travel requirements. The opportunity to work on an interesting project may conflict with the demands of another project you are leading. Saying “yes” to a vacation might mean that you don’t put that money into an emergency fund. Volunteering for a charity event may mean that you have less time with your family.
There is an opportunity cost for each choice. The key is figuring out which option serves you.
I recall being asked to take on an additional volunteer role. In another moment I would have loved it. At that time I just could not. I knew I was already spread thin, so my reply had to be clear so that I would not leave a door open. My response was, “Thank you for thinking of me. I don’t have the capacity to take that on right now.” That was it. The response? She simply said that she understood and would work on finding somebody else to help with it. Done. No guilt, no further requests.
Do I have the tools I need for this endeavor?
This does not mean that you should not step outside your comfort zone. (On the contrary – that is where all the magic happens). It means being realistic about what it takes for you to say yes to the opportunity. Some things are easily learned. Others not so much. If a company used a specific software and you did not know it, but felt comfortable learning, this would not be a deal breaker. If you were asked to present at a conference about a topic that required extensive research and preparation in a short window of time, then you may not have the tools you need. However, if you have somebody that you could outsource this preparation to, then you might still want to consider the opportunity.
When evaluating a big decision, remember that there is rarely just one “right” answer. Sometimes we make a decision, and then make it right. As an analytical personality, there are times when I give myself a time limit to make a decision. I let myself sit and thinking it through, but then I must make a decision by my deadline.
What questions do you ask when making big decisions?
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