Christine
Telling people that I have ADHD.
There was (and still is) the risk of being misunderstood, of being dismissed or undervalued, of being judged.
I accept the risks because it is so much easier to operate in the world when I can be honest about my challenges and make good use of my strengths. I don’t have to put any energy into managing perceptions and/or trying to be something I’m not.
And if people judge or dismiss me? They are missing out.
Elan
I risk a tummy ache with every second helping of dessert, but I never regret it.
Catherine
Turning down a tenure track job when I had no other offers (yet). I had applied for everything in sight and got an offer at a small state university in the West. But I knew it wasn’t right for me. I opted to hold out, and I lucked out- I got the job I have now. That was 2001, and I have pretty much been happy as a clam with my colleagues and students (and I get to live in Boston, which I love dearly).
Sam
Moving to Guelph. I had lived in London a long time and worked at Western University for a long time, nearly 25 years. I felt very settled in the community, knew all the best bike routes, loved our neighbourhood, and had lots of friends. It’s been hard to settle in Guelph in part because the big job that brought me here is so demanding and in part because of the lure of the nearby big city. Hi Toronto! For a time I still had a London eye doctor and dentist, but now–seven years later!–I’ve moved all the things. I still visit London frequently because my daughter Mallory is there, as as lots of friends. But I don’t regret the move. I’m getting to know Guelph and love it here.
Cate
Je ne regrette rien! Everything is learning.
Nicole
I’ve left two jobs without having anyone one lined up. First time, it wasn’t very long before I found the next job that taught me a lot. The second time was to leave a toxic manager and it took several months to find next job but I don’t regret it in the slightest. I’m fortunate to have had that option both times. I would have regretted staying in jobs staying in jobs that were making me miserable and making it hard to get out of bed in the morning.
Martha
I twice made a decision that could easily have gone sideways. The first was when I decided to accept a six month contract without any back up because I really needed a change in employment. The second came when I was made redundant from the job I got after the six month contract. I decided to freelance and set up my own consulting company and I have been doing so for the last 20 years (my 20th anniversary is in October of this year!). In both cases I had no idea what was waiting for me but I am so glad I took those risks. They changed my work life for the better.
Diane
I’m with Cate (and Edith Piaf – thanks for the ear worm Cate Creede-Desmarais). I often joke that I am not a contemplative person but it is actually deliberate choice. I am fully capable of obsessing about stupid stuff I did in high school, so I prefer to just go full steam ahead and not think about potential consequences, or reflect on them later. It almost always works out just fine.
