Monday, May 28, 2007

What If?

FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MAY 7, 2007

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
“He who reflects too much will achieve little."
~ J.C.F. von Schiller

GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!

Decisions, decisions. We're all faced with any number of choices during the course of our days. Sometimes we choose what we believe is right, sometimes what we believe is easiest, or sometimes what we believe others would have us choose.

Regardless of our choices, it's what comes afterwards that determines our satisfaction with our decisions. Success is not just dictated by the outcome - it's also a result of the game of "What If..." (also known as second-guess paralysis). What if... I hadn't accepted this job? What if... I had asked for a raise sooner? What if... I chose a different major in college? And so on.
Questions like these transport you to a world of abstracts, where nothing is certain and every answer is only limited by your imagination. It's a dangerous place. Spending too much time there will only undermine the decisions you have made, and lead you to self-doubt.

Sure, it can be a fun and fascinating exercise to imagine what might have been, but it does not serve the decision-making process very well. Too much time thinking and guessing precludes us from action. It also kills our determination and confidence.

It's time to come to terms with who you are, where you are, and what you are doing. If you're really unhappy with the results of your choices, then resolve to stop dreaming about what might have been and move swiftly forward, with nary a backward glance.

But here's a caveat: those who spend their time imagining other possible selves and choices are at a much greater risk of dissatisfaction with all of their decisions. Confidence, happiness and success are the result of realizing that even if our choices prove to be wrong, we can learn and adapt if we only lose the fear of making a commitment to our actions and ourselves.

posted by The Office Grapevine at 12:30 PM  

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