I never intended to embark on a “series” when I wrote my first blog post on Is Success or Failure a Better Teacher? Because of some of the feedback I received on that post, I felt compelled to write a follow up asking the question Is there a time to gracefully retreat?
Once again this second post attracted comments which have led me to a third post in this series. This time I am picking up the suggestion “maybe your next post can be about how to know when a detour is needed and not a full retreat”. If you missed my last post and some of the comments I suggest you go here to understand the context of the discussions.
I knew when I wrote and made the video for the last post it was a “big” question – and a provocative one. It is a question we are all faced with from time to time and one that I have been mulling over as I have responded to comments. Please check out my video here for my thoughts on this latest question and do leave me your comments and suggestions.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvg4WPD3Bw[/youtube]
So please let me know what you do to decide whether it is time to quit – or to take a detour. I would really love to hear your feedback.
Linda G. Cox says
Sue~
I love to see the evolution of your blog! Isn’t that the way it goes in life? We try, learn, correct, then step out to try again! I’m the type of person who jumps in full-force, often biting off more than I can chew. I’m as quick to alter my course when I admit reality. I’m working on slowing down enough to think it through, before I take the leap~
~Linda
Sue says
Linda I agree a blog evolves just like life 🙂
I am finding myself taken in new directions by the comments I am receiving which I guess is a good thing.
I am also finding what is easy for me to talk about and when I struggle.
Slowing down for me has been amazing. I was such a jump in without thinking person until recently.
It is good you are willing to admit to yourself when you have taken on too much. That is a good thing!
Cheers
Sue
Oliver Tausend says
Hi Sue,
thanks for this great thought-provoking video. I take my decision based on foundation of a strong WHY. If I come to a point when I need to make a decision. I ask myself:”What were the original reasons why I chose to do what I’m doing right now ?” If the reasons haven’t changed, but the vehicle, I can easily make a decision. By doing so, I was able to get rid of my first MLM opportunity within 48 hours and talking to my team about my decision, after I realized that with this company, I will never build true residual income.
Take care
Oliver
Sue says
Hi Oliver
You have a solid foundation there for making this decision. A strong why is so important. I know for me recently I was going around in circles a bit and had to go back to my “why” for clarity moving forward.
Thanks for your valuable feedback.
Have a great day
Sue
Don Enck says
Sue,
I’m feeling a very similar response here and it’s the one you’ve hit on. That is, what is my “gut” my intuition telling me? What do I feel?
For me, I have to evaluate things and then settle back and let it sit within. The real answer is always within.
Sue says
I agree Don. Our answers are within. It is one of the things I enjoy about being a bit older – the wisdom and experience that tells us to listen to our own intuition.
Take care
Sue
Kim Jensen says
I Adore you! You couldn’t be more right in regards to following our intuition. There is a place within each of us that knows ‘our truth’…and will never abandon us. The more we follow the self..the clearer her voice becomes.I like to ‘plan for other plans’ by paying attention to what is presented to me within my allotment of days. ‘Days’ are a cool design, they keep us focused on the now.I will be checkin out more of your thoughtful posts. thank you, Kim Jensen
Sue says
Thanks for your feedback Kim. I agree with you that the more we follow the self the clearer the voice becomes. I am still learning to be in the “now” and I am getting better. For many years I was always in the future. I manage to leave the past behind pretty quickly 🙂
Take care
Sue
Darlene Davis says
Sue,
When it comes to making a decision I am a tortoise. I will have an initial gut reaction, wait a few days (depending of course on the gravity of the decision), and then write out a decision chart before moving forward. The decision chart is very helpful because if I ever question in the future why I chose Path B rather than C, I’ll refer back to the decision chart, that clearly lays out why I chose Path B. I tend to remember the positives and slough off the negatives. Having that decision chart handy brings the entire process back into focus in a nano second.
Your video is inspiring. You captivated my attention throughout it!
Sue says
Thanks for sharing your process on decisions Darlene. I love the idea of your decision chart as I am sure it makes the process more apparent.
Thanks for your comment on the video. I am becoming more comfortable and am going to follow your lead and do a 30 day challenge. I am about to shift house so will leave it til after that.
Take care
Sue
Belinda Cunningham says
Hi Sue
Trying to think of something profound again to say so you have another post!! Slowing down – my ahh moment Sue thanks. I need to slow down so I can actually hear my inner voice talking. This is the message I have not been listening to lately. I have now been put into a situation where I have less time to devote to a particular area of my life that I have been mulling over. This has given me the opportunity to slow down and re evaluate.
In regards to your question however I know that I really need to have a sounding board to be able to talk over decisions and to get input before I make a decision. I like to research everything so I can make an informed decision and get other peoples feedback in case they have something to add that I have not thought of.
Belinda
Sue says
Hey Belinda I have been relying on your for content lately 🙂
It has been interesting how this evolved. Maybe it is the way blogs do evolve.
I think it is really important to slow down and evaluate regularly. Most of us get into the fast lane and don’t do that.
I used to always ask other people but these days I am finding I go more within. I am very selective who I do ask for advice. I think because I used to rely more on other people than myself.
Take care
Sue
Louise Steiner says
Sue, I have loved your thought provoking mini-series. This subject is not something I have given much thought to (until now), but thinking about it I have also learned to slow down and trust my gut instinct far more in recent years. I used to gather all the facts, make lists of pros and cons, ask other people and then make my decisions, totally ignoring my inner feelings in the process, but now I am comfortable making those decisions based on my own intuition. I guess getting older does come with some benefits 🙂
Sue says
Hi Louise
I was very much the same as you. I almost took a poll before I made a decision. I think trusting our gut does come with age. And yes there are some benefits. 🙂
Sue
Private Krankenversicherung Vergleich says
You made a few excellent points there. I did a search on the topic and almost not got any specific details on other sites, but then great to be here, really, thanks.
– Lucas
Adam Robinson says
To retreat or to take a detour. It’s almost always not good to quit. Quitting pretty much means you’re giving up everything. Taking a detour is much better because you’re bringing with you all the pains, the things learned, the failures, etc. One needs all these to find happiness in life.
Sue says
Thanks for your comment Adam. I agree detouring is in most cases the better option over retreating. I think anyone who does not experience failures along the way is probably playing it too saffe.
I agree we need all of this to find happiness, hey and to appreciate it.
Sue