What if they are both great choices?
Posted on June 29, 2024 by Jo Yvon, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
When it comes to changing jobs, sometimes you can only see from one perspective. I show you an easy way to see things differently to get you unstuck.
“I’ve got a decision to make. I want to make the brave choice but I don’t know which one that is!”
My client Lia has been offered a promotion. She has already been in the organisation for a while and doesn’t want to be stuck in a rut. So she is attracted to leaving and looking elsewhere for her next challenge.
I ask, “What doesn’t feel brave about taking the promotion?”
She replies, “Maybe staying is the easy option. It’s something I already know. But I want to grow”
I explore further: “What is it about the promotion that will stop you growing?”
She then starts to talk about her fear of taking the promotion and of not doing well in the new role. Her fear of failure. Her imposter syndrome.
I say, “What if taking the promotion is also a brave choice? What if they are BOTH brave choices?”
Lia nods slowly, “Yes, I see that. I will be challenged to grow either way”
I reflect, “And it sounds like you’ve been focusing on the worst of staying and the best of leaving. What if we switch that around? What’s the worst of leaving and the best of staying?”
This brings some balance to her stories. She can take a more rounded view of where each choice might lead. By the end of our conversation she has made her decision. It feels brave. She is excited.
Sometimes the reason you’re stuck on a decision is because you’ve only been looking at it in one way. Find one element that really matters to you and try asking yourself, “what if both . . .?" This small shift can open up your thinking to see a path you may not have seen before.
