Issue #27: Tough Choices
To risk OR not to risk?
Dear Reader,
I changed the newsletter’s name to: The Spring4th Lab. The addition of ‘Lab,’ highlights what this newsletter essentially means to me, an experimentation outlet to try out different things without over burdening myself with the badge of perfectionism.
The Mirror
“So, what’s your plan B?” a super-super-superior colleague said to myself and my fellow interns, years ago. We’d entered the conversation hoping for assurance that we’d be retained after our internship, but he asked, “what’s your plan B?”
We fumbled through our answers, or we didn’t answer – difficult to remember one of the most “I think I blanked out” moments of my life.
Since then, the four of us have gone through different paths, various twists and turns but I’m proud of the people we are today.
Three of them left, I stayed.
They took risks, I chose the safe, stable option. Or rather, the safe and stable option chose me.
Do I wish that I’d left as well? Honestly, I’m not sure. On one hand, the experiences I had moulded me into the person I am today, on the other hand, the overthinking side of me can’t help but wonder, “what if?”
How do people make tough decisions? In the past, I’ve:
Sought advice – ending up more confused than ever. Seeking out many opinions jumbled things.
Drew a pros and cons list.
Prayed, and didn’t follow my gut instincts.
Chosen the option that wouldn’t raise eyebrows.
Prayed for one option to eject itself.
The decision to take the plunge or not, to try that thing or not, comes down to the person we are, and the person we want to be. Outcomes aren’t in our control, only our attitudes are. There’s no point piling on regrets; I’m still learning to subdue those voices because I believe in destiny. I’ve seen how things have panned out for others around me, my friends and family. How certain disappointments matured them into blessings that suddenly arrived.
We need to make decisions; we need choose. Otherwise, we’ll remain in the same place, resenting ourselves or blaming others.
#ForeverFriendsFan: Think of Chandler, finally quitting his highly paid job to become an intern for a marketing agency, finally exercising his creative skills. Note: This isn’t some advice to quit your job. I’m just saying.
The Lens
In search of the motivation to transcend from professional planner to doer.
The Grounding
Reflect on the tough choices you’ve made, write about it, or create any other type of art that symbolises it. Share with others, or don’t – your call.
The Spring Fund
Instead of investing on individual stocks, especially if you aren’t conversant on how to pick a stock that looks good, investing in an ETF could be your solution.
An ETF, Exchange-Traded Fund, is a basket of different assets, that are bought and sold on a stock exchange. ETFs are also a good bet against the risks of ‘putting all your investments in one basket,’ as the mix ensures diversification. If one stock fails, another might be on the rise.
To learn more: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp
The Shelf
The Poem, ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
Read the rest here: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Before You Go
There’s so much chaos in the world right now, it can get daunting and hopeless. But there’s a quote that has stuck with me for a while, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity,” Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
It’ll all work out.
Until next week,
The Spring4th Lab.