Oh, the stress of making the right decision!

Career choices are common causes for high stress! Imagine this: You get a job offer, but it pays less than what you want. Do you take the job or wait for something better? There are pros and cons to each situation, but how do you decide when you don’t know what to do?

Here’s are 2 similar stories with 2 very different outcomes. They are true stories from working with my clients as a career coach (edited for confidentiality).

Andrew’s dilemma…

Andrew was laid off 9 months ago from his job in graphics design at the State. He has been searching for full-time work, but he’s having a hard time finding something that pays close to what he was making. Andrew is a hard worker and a talented designer; being out of work has been very stressful for him.

Eventually Andrew gets an interview with Smart Company. The interview goes well, the environment appears to be a good fit, and he likes the short commute. Everything about this job looks wonderful! Then Andrew gets the job offer … only the pay is lower than what he wants. On one hand, Andrew is excited about getting back to work & being creative. On the other hand, he’s feeling the stress of having to slice & dice his budget. After thoughtful consideration and planning, Andrew takes the job.

Stress lifting … and look what happens

After a few weeks, Andrew’s can feel his stress level decreasing. He feels better about himself because he’s making a contribution and feels a sense of purpose. His energy is higher & he’s finding creative inspiration he thought he lost. It isn’t long before he is making an significant impact. After 3 months on the job, the GM is so impressed with Andrew’s motivation and creative ideas, he offers him a promotion with a bonus. Now he’s making more money than he did in the job he lost. Life is good! Stress? Gone!

Contrast Andrew with Brandy…

Brandy has been out of work for 10 months, and she’s feeling the stress big time! As a technical project manager, she thought she would have an easy time finding a job, so she played while she was on severance. The last month of severance she kicks her job search into high gear only to find there aren’t that many jobs and the jobs she’s applying for aren’t paying what she wants. Brandy decides she’ll just wait it out, only while she’s waiting, and she’s about to lose her house. She’s depressed and angry – her confidence is at an all time low.

Some of you may be experiencing this dilemma right now, or you may encounter it in the future. It’s a stressful thing to have to deal with, but you can easily work through the situation and make a wise decision without all that drama. Use the tips below to help you think through your situation:

5 Tips to Help You Lower Your Stress & Make Better Decisions About Whether to Take the Job or Wait

1. One of the biggest factors for success is knowing yourself and having the courage to be yourself. Look for situations where you have high potential for being your best. Money is a factor, but it’s not the only one.
2. Today’s world is less stable & secure. We’re going to have to be more agile and flexible than ever because jobs don’t come with a lifetime guarantee like many used to. Whether or not you take the job, do your homework. What is the potential for advancement? Are your personal values, mission & goals aligned with the company’s – if they are your chances for success are much higher. What is the fiscal health of the company/organization? It pays to do your research. Make sure you are driving YOUR strategy for getting what you want.
3. Talk the situation through with someone … be curious and open. You may not have considered all the options available to you. Getting help means you are strong, not weak. You’ll also find that simply talking through your options will decrease your stress & help you think more creatively.
4. Every situation carries an element of risk to it. It’s important to weigh your options, but get some help if you have “decision constipation.” There are numerous tools available to help with your decision. Mind Tools has some great resources to help you make better decisions. Click here for a link to their decision-making tools section.
5. Sometimes people are in a situation where they have to take a job they don’t really want – completely understandable these days. Just remember, there is a big difference between taking a job that pays the bills temporarily and denying your talents.

Please share your tips for reducing career stress! Are you, or have you been, in a situation where you’ve experienced this dilemma? What are some things you’ve done to help you make a good decision?