Each day is full of decisions, many more than we realize. Many decisions require a conscious choice—should I do A or B? We make other decisions without giving them much thought. It could be a frequently made decision (e.g., where to stop for gasoline) or one made out of loyalty (e.g., where to go for a haircut).
Other decisions involve whether to make a decision at all. Should we embark on something that entails change, or do we play it safe and keep things as they are? This week’s One to Grow On quote comes from psychologist Abraham Maslow. He suggests decisions represent a choice between growth and staying where we are.
Which direction do you tend to step—forward into growth or backward into safety?
Safety is not Permanent Choice
For all of my 53 years of life, I have valued safety. Descriptors like conservative, risk-averse, and safe fit me perfectly. The tendency to pursue safety can be traced back to childhood. My siblings and I were not encouraged to take risks. Opting for safety (i.e., not changing) was a way to ensure we did not get in trouble.
However, I am not blaming my parents, teachers, or anyone else for being a close-to-the-vest adult today. I may have started there, but when I opt not to take the step forward for growth today that is my choice. It must be pinned on me, not anyone else. Dr. Maslow’s words forced me to reflect on the idea that when I play it safe, I am actually regressing. I am not preserving the present state and definitely not growing.
Growth and Regression Choices
I cannot fathom making a deliberate choice to go in the opposite direction from personal growth. Yet, that is exactly what Abraham Maslow suggests in his quote. Growth is a choice, and so is mediocrity. When we do not get the promotion, receive the award, or develop the relationship in ways we see others succeed in doing, we have to ask ourselves what choices need to be made to realize desired outcomes.
It is too convenient to say the boss has it in for you, your customers do not like you as much as they like a competing sales rep, or you have not had the same opportunities as others to grow. Chances are decisions to pursue safety land us in a place that is actually farther away from our goals and growth than we aspire to be.
Choose to Grow
This week, I am going to be proactive in looking to make decisions that represent a step forward. Opting for safety is an easy decision to make and involves little risk. It also offers little to no reward. Instead of attaching value in playing it safe, we must remember that choosing safety regularly can have the unintended effect of setting us back. We do not set out to get left behind. Resolve to strike a balance between making decisions that could move you forward while not putting your well being at risk.
Photo by Redd Angelo on Unsplash
