“You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, Know when to walk away and know when to run.” ~ The Gambler There are so many times when you will be faced with making a choice of whether to let things remain as they are, status quo, or to make a change. What you do or don’t do will most likely impact many aspects of your life, so you need to be clear in your choice. You may find this to involve having to re-evaluate a relationship, a job, or even a career. Perhaps you are in a dither about your current location or if you should buy that new car. These are just a few examples of times in your life when you will have to make an important decision. The easiest way to examine each situation involves writing a list of pros and cons. Remember, holding is not a bad thing in some instances, so don’t be impulsive and jump blindly. Take the time necessary to think it through, unless, of course, you are in an unsafe situation that requires an immediate decision. It might be helpful to consider the following so that you can take an objective look and make the best decision for you:
- Don’t be impulsive
- Make a list of the pros and cons.
- Ask yourself what your fears are and if they are standing in your way.
- Ask yourself how long it will take to achieve the results you want.
- If you are choosing to stay put, ask yourself why.
- Does your decision involve others?
- Be realistic about your timeline and your anticipated outcome.
- Have faith and confidence in yourself. Listen to that inner voice and then trust it.
- Clear away your fears and self-judgments.
- Don’t worry about what others will think.
- Understand that there is no simple answer or any guarantees, yet you won’t know unless you try.
- If this requires a purchase, take a look at the long-term financial impact.
- If you will have to spend your savings to achieve your goal, consider if it will leave you with enough emergency fund.
