Choices And Decision Making

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." -Proverbs 16:9 Recently, I have been confronted with a major issue at work that required me to make a really wise decision which could make or break my family's immediate future. The issue: Our department would be undergoing a ramp-down and would eventually close down, while other departments within the company were ramping-up. My dilemma: Whether to transfer to one of the other departments, or to look for new opportunities outside the company. You see, management was asking us to first submit a letter of resignation before the transfer could be initiated. It would have been a lot easier if this was not part of the protocol. In view of this situation, meetings here and there were conducted by management and HR people, giving this and that promise as they recruit us for transfer to the other departments. The funny thing was, their statements kept changing every meeting, contradicting another manager's statements made in a prior meeting, hence arousing suspicions among most of my colleagues. Also, the manner by which people were being selected or taken for the transfer was very unconventional and unsystematic. Speculations, opinions, and all sorts of rumors began spreading on all corners of our office. All these were met with different reactions from each of us. Some were 'doubting Thomases', finding it hard to believe everything that management says; Some had firm plans after the close-down, sure of not transferring, but to either take a vacation or look for opportunities outside the company. Some simply don't have any plans at all. Some had an activist's heart, a heart of stone that refused to budge, not wanting to transfer, they intend to stay till the very end. Some had developed amnesia, not remembering any single blessing or anything positive that the company has done for them. And to think, they've been there much longer that I have. Some were either fast or just impulsive, not thinking twice about submitting their resignation to sign-up for the new department. Some maintained a 'wait and see' attitude, watching the fast/impulsive movers be the guinea pigs, digesting everything that's taking place, analyzing, weighing the pros and cons, identifying who's the protagonist and who's the antagonist. I guess I could consider myself belonging to the last group because I'm one of those who couldn't afford to make a wrong decision, when my family's financial condition is at stake. I couldn't be too trusting nor too suspicious. I couldn't have a heart of stone and become arrogant or ungrateful to the company that has fed my family for almost two years. I can't be too impulsive or too passive. The situation was just too confusing. It was too tempting to find a new job outside the company, where I can again 'practice what I preach' here at trabahobakamo and apply those interviewing and resume tips. But again, I had to consider my family's sake and the timing of the transfer. I did what I always do in times like these - pray hard for guidance and remained open to the options at hand. I would always leave a certain percentage for wanting to transfer to the new department, and a certain percentage for wanting to apply elsewhere. Sometimes it was more for the former, sometimes vise versa, but I never closed my mind to any of the options. Sometimes, decision making is such a hard task. From this recent experience, I have learned or reaffirmed some of life's practical lessons. You may not think some of these are relevant, but I have seen them at work and how applicable they are as I was struggling with this activity. God is still the best counsellor. He will give us the best options and guide us towards the wisest decision. Always think of the more essential things in life - our family, our faith, our values, our principles. Always be grateful for all the blessings that come our way, and the instruments by which those blessings came. In Filipino, we always say "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan hindi makakarating sa paroroonan." Humility is still a wonderful virtue, while arrogance would get us nowhere. Give importance to the little things, for in the end, they still count. Little things such as giving less service, cheating on some company policies when no one is looking, and stealing teeny-weeny office supplies - little things you thought don't mean anything. "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's joy!'" - Matthew 25:23 Epilogue I signed up for the new department after much thought and prayers. I will be transferring there next week, together with three of my closest friends at work. How I got selected for this particular batch, was for me, another sample of God's mysterious doings, when you trust and call on Him. go to main page