Decisions: That New Job

(9/29/23)

I. Confession

I made unwise decisions about where to work. A reflection of my mindset, rather than places I chose to work.

Deciding based on one factor: money. High student debt, combined with my hubris and failure to seek the perspective of a trusted mentor or advisor, resulted in poor decisions.

Decisions founded on scarcity (“this is the only opportunity available for me”), and fear (“this will be the only opportunity available for me”). Viewing an opportunity impatiently from a place of survival, rather than optionality.

Unsurprisingly, poor decisions led to more poor decisions - jumping job to job, repeating the cycle, feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

With that in mind, I humbly offer the following observations. May they serve you as you evaluate what may be next for you.

II. People, Place, and Work

• People > Place - We become who and where we work. Invisibly, inevitably, we adopt the values, beliefs, habits, and attitudes of the people and places where we work. Consider:

  • What are the qualities and characteristics of the people I will work closely with?

  • Is my aspirational self reflected in the people I will work with?
    

• Self > Work - Similarly, will the kind of work you do develop the qualities you admire and aspire to have, or mold you into a person you may fail to recognize later. For example, will the nature of your work encourage you to become obsessive, aggressive, unforgiving, etc.
  

• Mercenary or Missionary - Will you offer yourself to the highest bidder, or devote yourself to work aligned with your true self? Both have costs that feel, and compound differently.
  

• Craftsmanship - Will you create something that is timeless, irreplaceable, and bears your inimitable signature? Or, will your work be easily interchangeable and replicable?

III. Risks

Consider the following risks to your choice:

• Homeostasis - From the Greek words for “same” and “steady,” hemostasis may warmly invite you to stay where you are. Perhaps, longer than you imagine.
  

• Comfort - The natural human desire for comfort may keep you from avoiding discomfort with the different, evolving, even necessary for you.
  

• Unrealized Self - Will you become “good at what you do” because you have done it a long time, or because it is aligned with your natural talents? Put another way, will time be your ally - moving you closer, or further from who you are meant to be?

IV. An Invitation

As you evaluate what may be next for you, may you deliberate from a place of optionality, faith, and abundance. If possible, deciding:

• Patiently, with time;

• Intuitively, what feels true for you;

• Guided, by a trusted friend, advisor, or mentor; and

• Based on who you aspire to be, rather than what you desire to possess.