What Do You Do When There’s A Fork In The Road?
That’s a question that I’ve been having to ask myself a lot lately with a couple different things. So my question to you is how do YOU deal with tough decisions.
Do you do the whole “Benjamin Franklin,” Pros vs Cons on a piece of paper? Do you ask around? Who do you ask? Do you follow your passion or do you follow what’s safe? Do you flip a coin or just go with your gut?
These are things that we as young entrepreneurs need to start asking ourselves. Why you ask? Because if we’re in these situations and having not been prepared, might cause a state of panic.
I’ve dealt with situations like this a lot, but they’re still not easy and one thing I will promise you is this - not everyone will be happy with your decision. We have to realize as a young entrepreneurs that we can’t please everyone.
When Bill Cosby was asked what he thought the key to success was he simply stated, “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure - trying to please everyone.”
Here’s my take & I’m interested in YOURS.
When faced with a big “life” decision or “career move” decision, ask your closest friends, ask your mentors, ask your family so you can get another perspective. But the kicker is, don’t let them decide for you - GO WITH YOUR GUT (your heart, your instinct, your intuition, your spirit, or whatever YOU call it) and don’t look back.
I’ve found in studying entrepreneurs for a long time that the most successful entrepreneurs have always went with their gut, their instinct. Problem is for most entrepreneurs, especially young one’s is they let their brain talk them out of situations. I agree you have to think logistically, but ultimately your heart/gut/instinct is right most of the times.
What are your thoughts?
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POSTED IN: Food for Thought, Young Entrepreneurs
3 opinions for What Do You Do When There’s A Fork In The Road?
Sarah
Jun 24, 2008 at 3:39 am
Definitely! If something feels wrong with a client, potential employer, or potential employee, it’s wrong. As a recruiter, I find that my gut is always right about what placements are a good fit of culture and personality.
Nick Grinberg
Jun 26, 2008 at 11:00 am
I think its important to get a wide array of information (mentors, independent research, friends etc) so as you can make the most informed decision you possibly can.
End of the day though, you wouldnt be much of an entrepreneur if you didn’t innovate and stake a certain percentage of your success on personal intuition.
Karl Edwards
Jun 26, 2008 at 11:31 am
As entrepreneurs, we often see things (opportunities, niches, strategies, products, ideas, etc.) that others don’t yet. More often than not others give us blank stares, skeptical questions, and/or heated disagreement simply because they cannot yet see what we do.
I believe we want to receive as much input from trusted sources as possible. But we have to be the final arbiters of what input we will make our own, and then accept full responsibility for doing so.
But when we see something new, we need to muster the courage, passion and determination to give it form and bring it to life. Otherwise we inadvertently deprive the world of a gift we were uniquely positioned to see.
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