Ok. So how?

I received a phone call

11am. Tuesday 7 August. I received a phone call from an unrecognisable number. Normally I would not pick up these type of calls as it could be a telemarketer. That day, however, I did picked up the phone. it was Helen, a job recruiter, who had come to me with a fantastic job opportunity.

I am having challenges in my current job bringing in clients, so that has been on my mind. I want to take this call but how am I going to do so discreetly when my boss is two metres to my right. I did what any rational person would do. I got up and declared that I was going to the toilet, and promptly walked out of the office. 

Two thoughts were going through my mind

First. What a fantastic opportunity this is because the money offered was going to solve a lot of immediate challenges for my family.

Second. What amazing timing. This opportunity is going to take me out of the challenges in my current work. Then Helen asked “Ok. So how?” She wanted to know that she had me at ‘hello’. I told her she did.

As I headed back back to the office. I thought ‘Oh my gosh. The nearest toilet is in the office. What am I going to say to my boss?’

I told my loved ones and their response were…

That evening I told my loved ones about the opportunity, and their response was “Ok. So how?” which I am sure translated to “That’s fantastic. The money is going to help so much.”

As I went to bed that night, I experienced a growing feeling of unease. I could not figure out where this unease was coming from. It was centred around my body. Something was not right. Never mind. I am going to sleep and deal with it in the morning.

It is amazing how a good night’s sleep can help clear the mind. When I woke up the next morning, I realised I had the skills and experience to do the job well, but as the movie character Jerry Maguire said in the movie with the same name, “Show me the money.” I was only in it for the money.

Jerry Maguire said it best 'Show me the money!'

The bigger questions I faced with this temptation were these. What does this say about me and my dream? What am I going to say to my kids? That you should go after your dreams, but hey, do not forget about the money!’ I knew I would not be able to live with myself if I went down that rabbit hole.

What about you have done? How would you have felt?

My loved ones calls it intuition. I call it transparency.

The first thing I said to my loved ones that morning was that I was not going to take up the opportunity. Their response was “Ok. So how?” which I am sure actually meant “We knew you were going to change your mind.”

That afternoon, I went down to the local convenient store to buy some provisions. Mind you. At this stage, I had made the mental decision to not pursue the opportunity, but I had yet to inform the recruiter. The feeling of unease had lessened, however it was still there.

The convenient store owner asked me how my day was and seeing that the next day was a public holiday, also asked if I was working. My response to him was a cheerful “Yes. It’s good. I just turned down a fantastic well-paying job opportunity, and I am happily working today.”

The store owner looked at me dumbfounded. His only response was “Ok. So how?”

I knew what I had to do and more importantly where I had to be. I gave Helen a call and told her I was not going to take up the job opportunity. The feeling of unease was gone and I felt a frog on a lily pad, all calm and peaceful.

A win against temptation is a win for dreams

Ladies and gentleman. Have you ever made a decision that logically sounds right, yet deep down you felt otherwise?

I won a battle against temptation that day. I could take up the job opportunity, and be nowhere closer to my dreams in 12 months, or I could follow my dreams and see how far I go in the same period. 

So I will end off with this. When temptation strikes and you are deciding between whether to take up that fantastic opportunity or to follow on your dreams down a uncertain path, ask yourself this one question.

“Ok… So how?”

Oh yes. If any of you wondered what was the reaction of my boss when I came back into the office? He knew something was up. He asked what was going on with the phone call.

How I answered him is a story for another time. 

About the writer:

Daniel Lee is a speaker, trainer, a consultant and currently co-authoring a book on First Time Leadership to help aspiring and first time leaders transform from minions to leaders.

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