The core of your journey to greatness is the ability to make quality decisions and follow what you believe in especially when backed up with knowledge, self-awareness and adequate research. I was inspired by Jeff Bezos’s story. But before that, asking yourself questions usually prompts the need to make viable decisions. What if there is a downsizing at your current job? What if market prices change? What if my house rent is increased? What if he failed in his promises? What if that business didn’t turn out as expected? And what if that which I have been afraid of turns out the best?
The most profound decision is to position yourself for the unforeseen such that, you are not forced to do things out of will and against your dignity to save the pressuring circumstances. Your courage to make some big decisions sometimes is how you save the next move from the fear magnet. Because often, we are so loyal to what is working at the moment and forget that it could change and then we are shocked by the sudden devastation.
When Jeff Bezos decided to start Amazon, he was working at a hedge fund called D.E. Shaw & Co. In 1994, He had the idea of creating an online bookstore after coming across a statistic that web usage was growing at 2,300% per year. Amazed by the potential of the internet, he presented his idea to his boss, David E. Shaw, the founder of the firm.
Bezos’s boss listened to his idea and advised him to think it over carefully. Shaw recognized the potential but also saw the risk. He suggested that Bezos should give the decision serious thought because he had a good job with a promising career. He took his boss’s advice to heart and spent 48 hours contemplating his options. He ultimately decided to follow his passion and take the risk. Bezos explained his decision-making process using what he calls a “regret minimization framework.”
He imagined himself at 80, looking back on his life and considering what he would regret more: not seizing the opportunity to start Amazon or staying in his comfortable job. He concluded that he would regret not trying to build his own company more than any potential failure that could come from leaving his job. This thought process solidified his decision, and despite his boss’s cautionary advice, Bezos left his job to start Amazon, which would grow into one of the world’s largest and most influential companies.
If he was indecisive and stayed in the Job, Amazon would only remain an imagined company.
Now Up to you. Look ahead to 10-20 years from now. What would you regret not doing? I hope you find the inspiration and courage to decide on what is best for you.