Every ‘yes’ you give your life is also a ‘no’ to something else. Be careful what you keep choosing because eventually your choices become your life. They form the basis of how others view and perceive us.
Once someone accepts ownership, they need to recognize that it expresses itself through decisions. Responsibility isn't merely accepting consequences; it's also having the courage to choose differently when the current path no longer serves them. Our decisions are consequential, not casual, and we are accountable for where they lead.
Too many people spend years wishing they had made a different choice when what they really need is the courage to make a new one.
Few decisions have a greater impact on our happiness than where we invest our time and talents. That's where the recruiter in me has a few thoughts:
• Career choices can be hard – there may not be enough information readily available to make a well-informed decision. The internet contains a wealth of information that wasn't easily accessible when I was starting out. I made appointments with professionals in fields that interested me, and many allowed me to shadow them and get answers to my questions. School counselors also helped me dig deeper and either confirm or challenge my thinking. In later years, I've encouraged employers to make presentations in middle and high schools to expose young people to the many career opportunities available to them.
• Job choices may be even more critical – do your research on the companies that interest you, ask thoughtful questions during interviews, and treat the process with the importance it deserves. Call back and ask to speak with potential managers to learn more about their leadership style and expectations. Whenever possible, talk to current employees to gain insight into the workplace and its culture. The more informed you are, the fewer surprises you'll encounter later.
It's best to go into a new job with positivity, enthusiasm, and the confidence that comes from doing your homework. The information you gain from the efforts above will help you do exactly that. But like most things in life, the satisfaction, fulfillment, advancement, and loyalty you experience will be influenced by how much you invest in your work. Ask questions, do more than what's required, and take pride in what you do.
Because we own our lives, our decisions matter. Right or wrong, they're ours. We must keep our eyes and ears open to what's happening around us and be willing to adjust as circumstances change. Don't be afraid to speak up when it's needed and remain flexible. Change seems to be one of life's constants and managing it rather than resisting it will help us continue to find joy in what we do.
You owe it to yourself to love what you do or change it. Starting today.
Charles Michael “Chuck” Palahniuk (born 1962): American novelist who describes his work as transgressive fiction. He has published 19 novels, three nonfiction books, two graphic novels, and two adult coloring books, as well as several short stories.
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