Too many unfinished projects?
The toughest decision of
all:
Get out or get going!
By Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Many of us are influenced by the sports ethic:
Never give up! When a basketball team is down by 20 with 30 seconds on
the clock, the players never stop working. Spectators might be filing
out, and the winning team might be deep into the bench, but the game
goes on.
If your game is a business or a job,you won't hear a whistle to signal
the end of the game. If you keep going and win, you may gain a lifelong
prize. If you keep throwing good money and energy into a losing cause,
the whistle can blow for unemployment or bankruptcy.
"Should I keep going?" is one of the most difficult questions for
anyone, including career counselors and coaches. There is no single
answer, but here are some ways to focus the question.
1. How did you
get into the situation?
Were you encouraged by a spouse, parent, friend or
mentor? You have a better chance of fulfilling your own dream than
someone else's.
2. Is there
a little voice in your head that whispers, "Maybe you should
be doing X instead?"
Listen up, as the sports coaches say, especially if
you can put a name on "X" ,and if you've been playing this game awhile.
That "little voice" may be your intuition speaking.
3. Does your new
venture refuse to go away?
If you try to leave your job, do you find yourself
getting caught up in a new project or rewarded with a new promotion?
One speaker, accepting a local "Entrepreneur of the Year" award, told
the audience, "I hated this business. I tried to sell it but nobody
would buy me out. I was forced to fix it up and, in the process, found
success."
4. What is
the universe telling you?
Are you getting customers?
Is your progress considerably faster or slower than your peers and
competitors?
Has anything clicked into place for you, seemingly without effort?
5. What is your
own historical trend?
Do you tend to give up too easily or hang on too
long? Often coaching
can help you identify career patterns and decide if you want to make
changes.
6. Are you
still having fun?
A loss of enthusiasm can be temporary, especially if
you're fatigued or have just experienced a setback. Long-term
discouragement will create negative energy and ultimately destroy your
career or business.
7. Must
your decision be either-or?
Can you continue a business part-time with a manager?
Can you look for a new job but also start a business? Multi-tasking can
fragment energies but also offer unparalleled opportunities. It's a key
transition skill.