Throughout this year, several bloggers will engage in a conversation here and on their blogs — asking questions of each other and responding. Others are absolutely welcome to join the conversation, as well. Learn more about the ladies of Blogversation 2012.Typically I post the week’s Blogversation question on Thursdays. This week’s is a little late because it comes from Jennifer Worick, who’s up to her eyeballs in big business decisions.
The beauty of waiting a bit is that Jennifer is willing to talk with us about what’s really on her mind, and to invite us to share our thoughts on a big question she’s facing right now.
You can find her at jenniferworick.blogspot.com, on Twitter as @jennifer_worick:
How do you make sound business/career decisions without your emotions clouding your judgment?
I am in the process of making a gut-wrenching choice between two companies/two individuals who want to take my writing into a new arena. I can’t say much about it at this point, but I am seriously conflicted.
Every single woman I have spoken with—my agent, my leadership coach, my friends—has said “It’s not personal, it’s business” and urged me to take a certain path. I keep hedging, feeling—knowing—I’d disappoint the other party (who, by the way, I only know by way of two phone calls). When I think about making a decision—which I have to do by week’s end—I feel sick to my stomach.
Whatever I do, it will feel awful.
But making the “smart,” objective decision is where the growth is, I’m finding out. I’ve often made decisions out of fear or guilt or obligation or whim. What I’ve called my gut instinct has really just been fear masquerading as some sort of deep spiritual truth. I grew up in an environment where it was a survival strategy to be accommodating, and I still find it excruciating to act otherwise. I’ve built a support system of people to help me make decisions that are more in my best interest, that will move me and my life forward.
But I still feel sick about it.