Remember Sliding Doors, that 90s Gwyneth Paltrow film where one missed train splits her life into two completely different paths?
We all face those “sliding door” moments. A decision point. A fork in the road. But unlike in the movies, we don’t get to fast-forward and preview how each choice plays out.
So when you’re standing at that metaphorical train station, how do you decide which path to take?
Here’s how I approach it:
First, I ask myself: Does this opportunity move me closer to my end game or further away?
And yes, that means you need to know what your end game is. If the answer is “further away,” it’s not an automatic no. But it does require conscious consideration. Sometimes, the scenic route delivers more than the shortcut.
Second, I check in with my risk profile.
Are you risk-averse - naturally drawn to the safe, familiar option? Or do you tend to leap without fully weighing the risks?
Knowing your risk appetite gives you the self-awareness to see whether your instinct is helping or hindering you.
One of the simplest tools Stuart and I rely on is this:
What’s the worst-case scenario - and can we live with it?
If the answer is yes, we move forward. If not, we look for ways to mitigate the risk. And if we still can’t live with it? We let the train go. Another one always comes.
Understanding your risk profile isn’t just useful, it’s essential. It’s a foundational piece of your leadership journey, and we go deep into it inside Ready to Rise.
Because bold decisions create bold outcomes - but only when you’ve built the internal toolkit to navigate the unknown.
Unlock the tools to help you discover and own your risk profile inside Ready to Rise.
If you're enjoying these newsletters and want to make sure you don't miss them, make sure you've subscribed here.
And I'd love to know what your Sliding Door moments have been. With the benefit of hindsight did you make the right choice or are you still dreaming of the one that got away?
Responses