This could apply to any decision, not just a job, but any area in your life. If you aren't moving forward and you are living in a static bubble but wish to do something about it, making a decision that CHANGES your dynamics, could move things forward.

A Friend of mine, Joseph, was in a dilemma. He'd been working at his job in a non-management position for over 4 years and was kind of feeling in a RUT, but not sure what to do about it. He was VERY good at what he did, but he didn't feel satisfied....

Joseph's Manager approached him recently and asked if he would consider being a "Team Leader" to the sales team in his region.

"Team Leader" would have extra responsibilities over their current large work load with no pay raise, but certainly more prestige and recognition....which potentially could lead to movement up.

But Joseph didn't know what to do.

Being a Team Leader was a big responsibility. There would be no turning back. He couldn't just "try it out" decide it wasn't working and say, "I don't want to be Team Leader anymore."

But if he didn't accept it would also point something to his Supervisor and Upper Management. Joseph was a damn good Sales Guy, made his quota with ease, was persuasive and connected really well with his customers.

This was all well and good, but what wasn't so good was that all his colleagues in his region were equally as good, he didn't shine out over anyone else, they were all quality sales people.

If there was ever an issue of down-sizing or promotion, Joseph's current activities would not identify him above anyone else.

Joseph was insecure about his abilities. His numbers showed he was well skilled, but he often felt his colleagues were either slightly better or a lot better than him.

What could he bring to the table? Could being a Team Leader make a difference in their sales force? And what if the answer was no....should Joseph turn down the opportunity without success or failure even being proven?

Joseph could taste the recognition he would receive. The title screamed prestige, but he would be putting himself out on a limb and have more work.

The KEY here is the fact that he wasn't simply happy with what he was currently doing. He wanted change. If he didn't need change, then turning the Team Leader position down would be the definite choice.

So good or bad, Joseph had to make a decision about changing his status quo.

The question he asked himself:

If it is prestige and recognition that I seek, do I know where else can I get this if I don't accept the Team Lead position?

• If I don't have an answer to the above question, and I DON'T accept Team Lead, then I go nowhere and I continue to stalemate. This is No Decision.




• If I do have the answer to the above question, and I don't accept Team Lead because I KNOW what else I could do, then I should do that NOW and finally move out of this rut. This is a Good Decision, but WHY?




• If I don't have an answer the above question, then I should accept Team Lead because currently that is the only thing in my life I know will give me recognition and prestige. This is a Good Decision, but WHY?

Good Or Bad Decision = Good Decision

Any decision that changes your current situation from what it was (if it is a situation you were tired of or unhappy with) FINALLY creates actions in your life that move you down a path.

Back to Joseph...

If the decision doesn't work out and it is thought of as a "bad decision", Joseph will be faced with another decision to change and fix it. This turns a "bad decision" into something good because it continues to make him ACT and MOVE FORWARD.

If the decision DOES work out, then great! Joseph finally gets out of his rut and can think, "Why didn't I do this before? Why did it take me so long?" This verifies a "good decision" made him ACT and MOVE FORWARD.

Currently my friend, Joseph has another few weeks to decide...