Don’t Settle for Less Because of Fear!
Be Courageous Enough to Make Bold Choices About your Life.
I have recognized in my own life that I’ve never been someone who wanted to settle for less.
And why is that?
Because I could never be able to live with the unsettling pain of not knowing what could have been.
For instance, I once had two job offers from the same company —
- One was a higher position, a 3-year contract without benefits (the high position came with better pay)
- The other was a low position, permanent, with benefits. (the low position came with lower pay)
Should I go with the safest option?
I remember thinking to myself whether I should take the permanent position because:
- That meant job security for me.
- I would have the benefits I needed — even though I knew that I could barely survive with that salary every month.
This could have been a predictable decision, until I recognized this underlying problem. I was making a fear-based decision.
Fear of the Unknown
The truth is, as I was comparing these two offers, I realised that, it was easier for me to choose the permanent position because in my mind I was thinking:
- What if I never get a permanent job again in my life?
- What if things don’t work out with this 3 year contract, what would I do?
- Am I willing to take the risk and be without a job when the contract ends?
Once I became aware of this fear-based decision, I decided to take the 3 year contract position.
And why didn’t I settle for safe?
Because in this case, settling for safe meant settling for less. Also, It didn’t feel good and it was not what I truly desired.
Yes, the 3-year contract came with its own uncertainties, but I was happy with it. The salary was good, and moreover, the higher position pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me, and developed my skills.
Moral of the Story
Being fearful of the unknown can make us settle for a life that is less than what we desire. We would rather take the predictable path than choose a path that is challenging and uncertain.
As for me, I never settled, and you shouldn’t either.
Thank you for Reading
