On Choices: the Good and the Bad (and Homesteading . . . sort of)
I talk with people all day, every day, who are having to make big decisions—career decisions, hiring decisions, and even life decisions.
As a business leader and a mom, I am not immune to the stress that comes from making those decisions. But the trend I am noticing over and over is that we struggle to intentionally choose both the desirable and undesirable aspects of our final decision.
We focus on just the positive aspects of our choice, and then when the negative aspects pop up 90 days later, we are . . . surprised.
Here’s what I mean: EVERY choice we make has both positive and negative aspects to it.
If you choose the low-stress job, you might be compromising on career progression and financial opportunity.
If you choose the expensive private school, you’re probably choosing an amazing education for your child — but potentially lack of exposure to diversity and the real world.
If we choose to homestead 50 miles from downtown, we will have lots of views and fresh milk and eggs, but we will also have a long commute.
If I choose to get up at 5 am to work out, I (might) be in great shape, but be zonked by 9 pm. (Personal experience here… the workout, not the chickens) 😂
I think we want it all. We want a low-stress job with unlimited upward mobility and a six-figure salary. If you find it, let me know!
But I wonder what would happen if we intentionally chose to hold both the good and the bad of every decision with open hands. To go in with eyes wide open.
No choice is perfect. There are *always* pros and cons, and when you choose XYZ, **you are choosing both the pros and the cons.**
So that’s what I’m working on lately. To stop looking for perfect, and to make the best decision today with what I know to be true.
Big thanks to the wonderful Ross Robinson for originally making me think about this — and always helping me to be better!