Avoiding Poor Life Choices
Adversity is ever-present in our own lives. Always popping up when we least expect it. Or want it.
Check that! Nobody ever WANTS to experience adversity. However, sometimes we make questionable choices that are just plain bad for you and ultimately increase your adversity. You might have seen the danger coming and decided to go ahead with your decision anyway.
Now you’ve received the bad results you were worried about. Hello adversity.
Or you just didn’t quite think that decision all the way through and now you have to live with the outcome. Hello adversity.
Beware of Unintended Consequences
Almost 25 years ago, I had a young woman join our company as a Junior Account Manager. She was young, bright and highly motivated. After some training and experience, we had expectations that she would develop into a strong manager at some point in her career.
We had hired her in the same salary range as the other employees of her caliber and experience.
One day after about six months with us she came into my office. “I need to talk to you about my salary,” she said. “I need a significant raise.”
“Let’s talk about it,” I said. “You just started here, and you are learning the business and beginning to make some progress. We might be able to conduct an early review.”
“No, you don’t understand,” she said. “I need a very large increase soon. I just purchased a new convertible BMW, and I can’t afford it on my current salary. It’s about as much as my rent and I’m well short for this next month. I need the money.”
“Well, that’s a different story,” I said. “We probably aren’t going to be able to solve this particular problem for you.”
Her adversity was of her own making. She quit shortly after. I don’t know if she was able to hold onto the new BMW.
Making Better Decisions
How many of life decisions are made without thinking through some of the implications? How much easier would our life journey be if we could avoid every bad decision?
With the New Year approaching resolve to make better decisions. There are many widely available tips that have been written that can help you to do just that. Start with a simple approach to add discipline to your life and help you avoid challenging circumstances.
Here are a few to consider:
Be honest with yourself – about the true impact of your decision. What are the pros and cons?
Reflect on your experience – how have you fared from previous decisions or circumstances like these?
Evaluate the impact of this decision on your current goals? Will it help you get closer to or further from your goals?
What is the payback (in money or time)? Does this decision pay for itself? Can you afford it?
You can handle any situation if you have the right tools to use when you need them. Take the extra few minutes to reflect on your decisions and improve your outcomes.
Here’s to a successful 2025!