I’m Taking A Chance

Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days … What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.                                                                  

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe-

I never thought I’d have the courage to do what I did yesterday, I walked to Ms. Elle’s office not knowing what would happen after. I was feeling shaky, yet my mind was clear. Her assistant knocked on the door and led me inside her office, I was then asked to have a seat. Soon as I had her attention, I said my piece — Ms. Elle I am resigning from my post effective Monday. My apologies for the short notice!  She looked at me wide eyed, but she wasn’t mad nor upset. Though she did ask a couple questions:  if I was leaving cause of our past differences, if someone in the office did me wrong or if I’m seeking employment elsewhere. But I assured her that it was my decision, and mine alone. No second or third parties and that I am not working or seeking employment at some other offices. She said she recommended me for promotion, but I gracefully declined her kind offer and asked that she give it to someone else. Told her, that a new position wouldn’t do much difference. She offered a salary increase, but I had the same answer. Guess it finally occured to her that no one and nothing would make me change my decision. So she got up from her chair, smiled at me, shook my hand and asked that we keep in touch; for friendships sake, she said. And in return, I gave her a big hug and said that we’ll see each other soon. Getting back to business, I made a promise to finished every report I’m working on, it will be signed and on her desk by Monday. I said my goodbye and then left her office.

Now, you might be wondering why I did that. I had a good and decent paying job, I was part of the management team, I was lined up for promotion, I had some hardworking staff on my team and yet I resigned. You must be saying — what a dumb fart. Is this person even thinking? Who in there right set of mind would let go of such a wonderful opportunity? Believe me when I say that I did do my homework, too. I questioned myself a hundred or more times, figuring out my options. You’d have to give me some sort of credit, for I am not that foolish. I am an accountant by training; so I did my own probability and statistics, and applied some decision science while I’m at it.

Bottom line is, I was not happy. And that should be enough reason for me to head out the door. I’ve suffered long enough and did what they call the adult thing to do. I have my own share of merits and achievements, and not a single one made me feel accomplished. Funny how I’ve also been asked many times, do you love your work? And I just sat there pretending I didn’t hear anything. I am who I am now cause I made that choice. The job did put food on the table and a roof over my head, but not a dose of happiness. And for a change, I would like to do what pleases me. Maybe if I do that, my life would come full circle. And if I don’t, I think there’s enough companies out there looking for one darn foolish accountant.

For now, I will take my chances and worry about regrets some other time…

Never hide behind busy work. It takes just as much energy to fail as it does to succeed. You must constantly guard against the trap of falling into a routine of remaining busy with unimportant chores that will provide you with an excuse to avoid meaningful challenges or opportunities that could change your life for the better. Your hours are your most precious possession. This day is all you have. Waste not a minute. Never hide behind busy work…