Decision Making is Complicated

I’ve wanted to do many things in life, such as become a contemporary jazz dancer, be an actor, or perhaps a chef, and let’s not leave out a famous pop singer. The list goes on, but in my early teens, I lacked the prerequisite for all those creative career choices. And although I didn’t let go of the creative angle, I shifted gears (several times).

Today, I shake my head in disbelief when I recall the expectation for early career decision-making. In eighth and ninth grade, I didn’t know where to direct my interests, so to combat my discomfort, I ignored the whole situation and decided I could figure this out later.

However, when “later” came, I got scared. In a pre-interview for my freshly chosen architectural career, a university professor told me that my math and science grades were subpar and that I should probably find another path. What I heard was that I wasn’t good enough. It took me nearly ten years to find the courage to go down the path of architecture and design and I’m thankful I finally took the leap.

What would you do today if you removed all your perceived limitations?

Many years ago, I read the book, How to be Brilliant. In it, the author poses two questions: “So what is it that holds us back? What is it that keeps us inside our comfort zones?” The author answers his own question with, “It’s fear that holds us back.” And he further states, “Think of fear as a simple acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real” (Heppell, 2004, p. 34).

Feelings of inadequacy can take us down a dangerous path because fear stops us from trying or learning, and sadly, it prevents us from believing in ourselves.

 Today’s Hashtag: Empowered