by Ken Vincent, Featured Contributor
THE GOLDEN RING is a seductress that few of us can resist. She takes many forms. She may be a job that pays 50% more than your current job. She may be a title that is impressive, or a fast track career path. She sometimes offers a work schedule that you find desirable. She may just be closer to your residence. She may be a “once in a life time” chance to start your own business.
But all that glitte
rs is not gold. Too often we look at that glittering golden ring and fail to focus on the fine print and gotchas. I grabbed that golden ring once. The biggest mistake I made in my career. Yes, it doubled my paycheck. However, the working conditions were deplorable and totally unacceptable. Looking back later, I should have seen that when I was interviewed. It should have been clear that I was not going to fit into that culture. A business ethic that was totally unacceptable to me. I was seduced by the dollar sign and that was all that mattered.
When you see that golden ring dangling in front of you, proceed with caution. The old saying that “if it looks too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true” is valid advice. You must be able to set that ring aside and look at all the other factors. There are always tradeoffs. They must be identified and a judgment made as to whether or not that ring is worth the price, for there will be one. Nothing in life is free, including lunch, and particularly the golden ring.
The golden ring often turns out to be made of fools gold and if so she is a seductress that carries a nasty sting.
Have you grabbed the golden ring when it turned out to be an illusion?
