The decision is non-binary
Recently a friend of mine called for advice. On the last day of his contract his employer decided not to renew it. He headed back into the office thinking he was terminated. A couple of hours later they offered him a new role in another department. The role sounded more suitable to his likes. What should he do?
Should he reject it?
It was obvious that they mistreated him. What’s the point of working with these people? He didn't like the working conditions anyway.
Should he take it?
The new role did sound attractive. It was something he wanted to try.
My input was to first let the emotions of the moment fade. We are not as rational as we would like to believe. The human brain is fundamentally irrational per The Laws of Human Nature. Throw in some emotion and a stressful situation and we are left hopeless.
Then with a clear mind he should explore what his true options are. Somehow our mind is wired to only see two options.
Should I quit?
YES / NO
1 / 0
But if we are more creative we can see more paths.
Take the job paths
Take the job but since I don’t care that much it will be under my terms. I will say no more often. I could shape it into the job I always wanted.
Take the job, try to do my best but set a timer after one month. Have a friend tell me if I am stuck in a bad situation. I don’t trust myself with making that decision.
Take the job and do the bare minimum to sustain it until I find something else. At least I will be under a paycheck until then.
Few days later, I was reading a story about Pericles. It was describing what a rational man he was and it relates to this idea.
Around the year 432 BC Sparta presented Athens with a dilemma. New terms of peace or war. The terms were in favour of Sparta. Athenians gathered to see how they would respond. Fearing Spartan's military advantage some were in favour of peace. Others pointed out that agreeing to the terms would be humiliating and would set a precedent. To them war was the only true option.
When it was Pericles' turn to speak he suggested something novel. Do not agree to the terms but do not engage in proper war either. Avoid direct battle in land where the Spartan army is superior. Protect the people within the city’s walls and attack with the navy. Fight a smart war by neutralising the opponent's advantage. That was the input of a rational man.
If you zoom in an option it will reveal a range of options.
The decision is non-binary.
