A Choice Based on Value

I found myself in the uncomfortable situation of looking for a new job at the age of fifty four. The details are not important to this article but when you are faced with a cloudy future it can be stressful. Anyone that has worked their entire life and find themselves with the prospect of being unemployed, your instincts kick you in gear and you immediately start networking for a new position. But at this stage of your career what do you need to consider?

The first thing I did was a self-assessment.  What am I good at? What do I like to do? If I could be anything what would I be? What do my peers consider my greatest skills? How long will my wife tolerate me being out of work? Do I need to get new skills? Do I need formal education? Should I start my own business? If so what will it be? So many questions to consider as I was making this important life decision.

The bottom line for me was the ability to add value in the position I would eventually land or create. When you have been in the workforce for more than 30 years, and you have had the opportunity to hold a variety of roles, and have had some success at what you did, the decision on how to move forward is not simple. It can be conflicting when you have a number of things you would like to do, can do, can afford to do. It seems like many roles would be fitting and satisfying but how to make the right choice?

In my life the best fit has always been the ability to make a difference at an organization, and have a role that if I did it well would help the organization to be better. I am also driven to help others succeed. The ultimate role for me is to be able to help others become better at what they do. My value proposition looked like this.

Is the organization one that shares my values? If yes move forward. Is the role one that aligns with my strengths? If yes move forward. Does this role allow me to help others and make a difference? If yes move forward. Will this role compensate me in a way that allows me to have balance in my personal finance, therefore life? If yes take the position.

Everything we do in life has a component of value. Every decision is a value based decision. When we choose a new career, buy a new product or service, choose a college with our kids, value is the driver. And value can be different with each of us. We all have certain things we value and more often than not these are different between individuals. We need to remember that respecting other people’s value proposition can serve us well in life and our careers.

If you sell things for a living, manage a business or a team, or you are the financial guru for the organization, delivering value to the people you serve or manage drives the success you will have. If you are at a crossroads in your career or helping a friend through that crossroad, what we/they value is a critical component of making a good decision in life and career.

I ended up taking a position with an organization that holds the values I do, and the opportunity to deliver value through what I deliver for the organization. It fits my lifestyle at this stage of my career and I it provides great value to me personally.

So I hope the next time you are making a decision or helping someone else make a decision you think about the value proposition, for you, your customer, your family, and most important your life. I hope this added some value to your life and I would love to hear your thoughts?