I’m not the best decision maker; when presented with two good options, it’s difficult for me to make a choice. I try to rationalize my final decision, but even then I still over-think it. I ask myself if I made the right choice, and then if all else fails I go with the motto, “It was meant to be,” which is a terrible cop out.
“It was meant to be,” actually means I made no choice and I’ve let the fates decide for me which somehow releases me from responsibility. Not a great way to get ahead.
Recently I was offered two really good job *prospects (as background knowledge, both are temporary jobs); one in which I was already a part of and offered comfort but less reliability, the other was a sure-thing for at least 6 weeks but a little less convenient in terms of location and it meant having to learn a new routine. (Oh, pay is exactly the same for each job so I can’t use this as a deciding factor. *Vagueness is purposefully used here to keep my anonymity).
Guess which one I picked? The comfy chair in the corner (if I were to make an analogy with chairs and change – or the Goldy Locks syndrome). It wasn’t an easy choice. I had to let someone who counted on me down and bow out of the other position.
If I take full responsibility for my actions, I can’t say, “It was meant to be.” So instead here are my lists of pros and cons:
- Comfy chair job – PROs:
- They love me there already. I know the routine, I like what I’m doing, and I’m already being called a “hero.”
- Could lead to a longer position (maybe even permanent -but that’s a stretch). Someone higher up has said they will fight for me to stay longer (possibly much, much longer). However, there are some outside factors that this person has no control over.
- Very good possibility this will lead to a longer position than the other option. (But again there are outside factors that could negate this). I think I said this already.
- Close to home – I can ride my bike. (Yes, so maybe this is really the deciding factor!)
- Comfy chair job – CONs:
- This position could be terminated by next week if outside factors have their way.
- Less reliability due to outside factors.
- Position that required change – PROs:
- Sure thing for 6 weeks – possibly up to 12 weeks keeping me employed up to the holidays.
- Similar to what I do now, so a familiarity exists.
- Position that required change – CONs:
- Would not equate to a permanent position at all.
- New people and routine.
- Farther from home in a sketchy area. Would not be able to ride my bike.
A closer look at the pros and cons explains why this decision was difficult for me to make. If I took out the “possibly’s” and “maybe’s”, the position that required change is actually the better choice. But me being the eternal optimist and keeping the “possibly’s” and “maybe’s” as part of my decision makes the comfy chair job look great.
Hopefully the comfy chair job will play out the way I hope and it will really be “meant to be,” …… or not.
What would you do?
17 Comments
This is so beautiful and so spiritual. Business ethics, self worth and generosity all wrapped up into one.
@Michael Davis – Thanks for the comment. Some decisions are tortuous, especially since they involve young children (I’m a teacher but I don’t share that info very often).
Comfy Chair for me. Perhaps an additional benefit of trying the ‘change’ position is that it wouldgive you exposure to a different group of people and an opportunity to also see your talents and call you a hero. Even if there was no immediate hope a permanent job, you would then have two groups of people thinking that you were awesome.
On balance, the comfy chair seems best. There’s a lot to be said for familiarity with a strong team that respects your work and safety always highly on my list of priorities.
Plus, I like the way you rationalize the decision as being proactive about your future. It really is up to us to decide which way we head. Just my opinion.
@Hunter – It’s true that the change would introduce me to a new group of people, but my “comfy chair” job did that as well three weeks ago, which is why I was so reluctant to leave them. I don’t share the details of what I do very often, but it also involves young lives (middle schoolers who are very hormonal and I think they need the reassurance that I’m there – but maybe I’m just patting myself on the back too much there.) That said, I think made the right decision.
I have been in this position numerous times and it is never an easy decision to make. There are pros and cons with every opportunity. I find I just try to balance what I am willing to live with and go from there. I think you are making the right decision.
It’s difficult for me to know if you made the right decision or not, but I love seeing your thought process. I tend to choose the less comfy chair nearly every time because it forces me to grow. Then when that chair becomes comfy, I go find another uncomfortable one. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment!
@Average Joe -I know I’m being very vague. I don’t mind adding more info in comment: I’m a sub teacher (who is credentialed and can’t find a job) and am working in a middle school environment right now – this is new to me this year. The newer position was similar to what I do now (special ed resource), but would put me back in elementary where there are very few jobs. I think in the long run, there are more opportunities for me in the middle school environment and I really feel that I’m more needed there. It’s sort of a transition for kids between elementary and high school and a lot of them are getting lost in the cracks, so to speak. I’m trying to help them out by constantly reminding them to take out their pencil, write down their homework, select a book for a book report, etc. 😉
I think I would have tried something new also, but I don’t know the particulars. One thing to remember is that regardless of whether it was a good decision, it’s done, and it’s the decision you made, so it helps to love it, and own it.
@Kathleen – You’re right, I’ve made the decision and that’s that. I think I made the right choice, but time will tell.
I think in this situation the comfy chair job is a better opportunity because there is a possibility of a longer term. If the other job said there is absolutely no shot going for some permanency might be a good ieday.
@Lance – I think I made the right decision as well. In the end, I do think there are more opportunities.
I go with my gut in situations like that. I figure it knows best 🙂
@Jackie – That’s what I did and I think I made the right decision.
Well, since both positions are temporary, let ‘er rip and take on the challenge.
@Andrew – I can see your point here, but I think sticking it out with the current position (which I’ve only been at 4 weeks) is the better choice in the long run.
Based on the pros and cons you listed, I would have made the same decision. The prospect for a full time position, the proximity, and already being established would keep me from leaving. I can understand that it was a tough decision!
@Untemplater – I think that’s what I realized; the current position was the better choice.