Five Tips On Making Big Choices

Transcription

1 Five Tips On Making Big Choices Recently, I took the decision to leave my job as an internal and external communications manager to join The Women's Vault fully-time. The Women's Vault has been my "side hustle" for the past nine months. My job in the corporate world gave me a steady amount of money as well as sick pay, holidays and made me feel fulfilled. I am passionate about doing what I do and have done it for fifteen years. It's been extremely stressful and challenging to manage two full-time jobs while raising an infant child. Following many hours deliberating my options, I've taken the decision to enter the unpredictable and exciting realm of business ownership (in the knowing that one in five UK companies fail). I founded The Women's Vault as a passion project; I wanted to see how I could help women feel at ease and be able to manage motherhood with their careers, and if I could assist corporate companies help their female employees better, too. I have experienced the enormous benefits of flexible working but also having to face the challenge of negotiating and changing to it, I saw an opportunity to help women looking for change in their careers by providing more flexibility. It was a risky undertaking and I was unsure if it would be successful or not. Sometimes, it's scary, I can tell you. After going through the process of making a major decision, as well as helping my clients make life-changing options like applying for a new job or having a new child or changing careers I thought it might be beneficial to other people by sharing some of my tips for how to make a decision. Five things to remember when you have to make an important decision: It is important to create as many possibilities as you can to ensure you have an "platter of possibilities." Explore alternatives that you've not considered. There is a possibility of switching jobs, but you're not eligible for mat leave benefits. Another possibility is to locate work that has more pay and negotiate an increase in salary, allowing you to have more money for the year. Once you have multiple options, you're in the best position to choose the best option for you. If you're only given a few choices, you might be making decisions based on limited resources instead of having an abundance mentality. Read more about the mindsets of abundance here. Once you decide on to learn the latest information on making decisions, you've to look at FlipSimu website. Be cautious about who you speak to In most cases, when making decisions, we want to share our thoughts with others about it. Family members or friends, colleagues and a mentor. The list goes on. The problem is that everyone will give you their opinions and will not always be neutral; you can quickly become overwhelmed by differing views. It is important to take a decision that's suitable for you.

2 The time spent thinking deeply is vital Take time to yourself and take walks in nature and don't listen to podcasts or music. Deep thinking cannot be done on the phone or in the midst of a computer screen. You should ask yourself questions such as "What's important for me?"; "Is this choice in line with my values and purpose?"; "Am I trying to please someone else by making this choice?"; "Will this bring me joy?". Make yourself a timeframe Sometimes, we have to decide within a specific time frame. In fact, I know those who have been sitting on major decisions for years, and once they make the decision, they feel happier, lighter and that all the burden is off their shoulders. Create a timeframe and adhere to it. Pay attention to your gut Your instincts will tell you whether you've made the correct or incorrect choice. If for some reason you're holding back, or hesitate, back, then something isn't quite right for you. You will feel an "off" sensation in your stomach if you don't follow your instincts and don't take them into consideration. If you've made the right decision you'll feel relaxed, happy and maybe slightly nervous. Keep in mind that if you've taken an option and then realize a few months down the track it's not what you wanted, then you can always go back to exploring other alternatives. You don't have to be embarrassed. You don't need to be perfect. Life is too short for to be unhappy.