CROSSROADS: See if you can make your "either/or" decision an "and" decision. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
CROSSROADS: See if you can make your "either/or" decision an "and" decision. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
"WELL, Ngahi," my new acquaintance replied, "the good thing is that this decision you are making appears to be a win-win situation for you.
"Either option has a very good outcome. In fact, do you think you could turn this into an 'and' decision rather than an 'either/or' decision?"
Itwas a moonlit evening on Whangamata Beach. I was 20 and had a very important decision to make. I had gone to see my grandparents to talk about it, but they were not arriving at their bach until the next day so I thought I would take a walk along the beach and get some thinking done. During my walk I met an elderly gentleman who used to be a captain of ships, so I sailed my decision past him (excuse the pun).
"Well, sir, I explained, I have to decide whether I accept an invitation to go to Massey University on a Tu Tangata scholarship to complete a business studies degree which will be fully funded, including sponsors who will provide holiday employment, or do I accept an invitation from the managing director of LD Nathans to become a trainee manager in one of their Woolworths stores."
My new acquaintance asked me a few more questions before asking if I could postpone the Tu Tangata Scholarship until after the trainee manager's role. I replied that I did not think so as the selection process had been rigorous and they only offered places to 16 from around the country.
"Then do you think you might be able to do the trainee managers role after the degree?" he asked. Suffice to say I ended up completing the business degree at Massey University in Palmy while working with LD Nathan during my holidays.
As we begin another year I wanted to encourage you in the decisions you will make in 2015. Is there any chance that your "either/or" decision could become an "and" decision just like mine did all those years ago?
Since then I have always thought through decisions to try to make them "and" decisions instead of "either/or" and have found that with a bit more thinking and wise counsel we really can have the best of both decisions.
-Ngahihi o te ra is from Te Arawa and is an international speaker, author and consultant. His book is available at Mcleods book store and the Lakeside Cafe in Rotorua. His website can be viewed at www.ngahibidois.com
