The Pain of Picking Priorities

The Pain of Picking Priorities

At a previous job, I was forced to choose between getting my children to day-care when my wife simply could not, or showing up to a newly scheduled 8 am meeting.

Have you faced choices like this… or even harder choices, with greater consequences?

Now that I’m a little older, I can laugh.

There shouldn’t have even been a conflict at all.

We’re talking about my children. End of discussion.

The meeting went on without me.

Did it cost me anything, in terms of my career trajectory?

From the “talking to” I got from my boss, I thought it would.

But no, it really didn’t. A few years later, when they eventually suggested that I find the door before they tossed me out it, it was for other, well-deserved reasons.

You might find yourself in a position where you have to choose.

And on one hand, objectively, it might seem like there’s only one option.

Do what you’re told.

But on the other hand, and also objectively but to someone else, it might seem like the other direction is the way to go.

What matters to you is what matters.

What matters to you is what matters.

When you’re thinking about your decision some twenty years later, like I am right now, will you regret it?

Or will you know, like I do, that in the big picture… YOUR big picture, you made the right call.

I’m writing about this today because I had another decision like that dropped in front of me not too long ago.

Go to a big, recently scheduled meeting or take care of family business.

The stakes are a little higher this time, both in terms of my job (but not my career), and in terms of my family.

The other side wouldn’t budge.

Too bad. I’m doing what matters more.

You can’t stop me.

You can’t stop me.

The meeting will go on without me.

(and now they can record it for me, anyway)

It’s not always easy but it’s right.

What do you think?

See you tomorrow!