When life throws you curveballs, you’re presented with a critical moment – a split-second choice that defines whether you’ll move forward with purpose or get lost in frustration. In psychology circles, this is called the “Choice Point.” It’s that powerful, blink-of-an-eye moment where you choose how to respond to adversity, shaping the person you’re becoming and the life you’re creating.
Spotting the Choice Point
We’ve all been there. Those tough times when it’s tempting to bury yourself under the doona, drowning in the weight of what isn’t working. But there’s another path: focusing on what you’re learning, how you’re evolving, and the actions you can take next. This Choice Point is a crucial juncture where you select behaviours that bring you closer to the life you want or push you further from it.
Career Challenges and Choice Points
In your professional life, challenges will come up that you simply can’t control. These are the points where you have a decision: focus on what’s hard and demoralising, or zero in on what’s within your control. You can choose to invest your energy in actions that bring you closer to a sustainable, fulfilling career, or sink into a mindset that stalls your growth.
As a Future-Focused Leader, here are five examples of Choice Points that you may experience in your workday:
- Handling Team Mistakes
A team member makes a mistake on an important project. As a leader, you’re at a Choice Point: do you respond with frustration, potentially impacting team morale, or do you use it as a learning moment, guiding them to understand what went wrong and how to improve? The choice to focus on development over criticism can inspire growth and resilience in your team. - Navigating Unclear Directives from Senior Management
Senior management rolls out a vague directive, and it’s up to you to interpret and implement it. This is a Choice Point: do you move forward with assumptions and risk confusion, or do you seek clarification and ensure your team understands the direction? Choosing clear communication can build trust and reduce misunderstandings. - Balancing Personal Stress and Team Support
You’re personally dealing with a challenging day, but a team member approaches you for guidance. At this Choice Point, you can either let your stress influence your interaction or set it aside to be fully present with them. Choosing to offer support can strengthen your relationship and demonstrate empathy. - Delegating a High-Stakes Task
You have a high-stakes task that you’d normally handle yourself, but there’s an opportunity to delegate it to a rising team member. This is a Choice Point: do you keep control out of concern for the outcome, or do you trust your team and allow them the chance to step up? Delegating can empower them and build their confidence. - Responding to Negative Feedback
You receive critical feedback about your leadership style or team results. You’re at a Choice Point: do you take it personally and become defensive, or do you reflect on the feedback and look for ways to grow? Choosing to embrace feedback shows your team that you’re open to improvement and committed to leading by example.
Building Professional Resilience Before You Need It
One powerful lesson I’ve learned from my own setbacks is that it’s hard to make the right choice when I’m feeling wobbly. The good news? By strengthening our professional resilience when times are smoother, we’re setting ourselves up to handle the hard stuff better. When those unexpected curveballs hit us, we’re more likely to make choices that keep us on track.
So, how can you prepare yourself now to make the best choice when it really counts?
5 Ways To Professionally Prepare Yourself:
Celebrate Micro-wins
Action Item: Each day, take a moment to acknowledge at least one small win. It could be as simple as completing a tricky task, lending a hand to a colleague, or maintaining calm in a challenging situation. At the end of the day, reflect on the progress you’ve made – focus on the gain, not the gap. Rather than dwelling on what’s left to achieve, celebrate how far you’ve come and the growth you’re experiencing. This practice of recognising micro-wins reinforces a positive mindset, boosts resilience, and keeps you motivated to keep moving forward.
Nurture Connections
Action Item: Make it a goal to connect with at least one colleague or peer each day, even if it’s just a quick check-in or a “thank you” email. Building and nurturing these connections not only strengthens your support network but also boosts morale and resilience when challenges arise.
Invest in Good Habits
Action Item: Identify one habit that energises you and commit to it daily – whether it’s taking a short walk, staying hydrated, or keeping your workspace organised. Good habits create stability and help you recharge, so you’re ready to tackle the unexpected.
Build Adaptability Quotient (AQ)
Action Item: Challenge yourself to try something new each week, whether it’s learning a skill, taking on a different type of project, or experimenting with a new way of working. Stretching your adaptability muscle regularly prepares you to stay calm and agile in times of change.
Fine-tune Focus
Action Item: Set aside a few minutes each morning to clarify your top three priorities for the day. By narrowing your focus, you’ll reduce overwhelm, make better decisions, and increase your productivity. This routine helps us to stay centred on what truly matters rather than being distracted by what we can’t control.
The Choice Point is about bouncing forward – learning, growing, and deciding to keep moving toward the life you want. The next time you’re faced with that choice, remember: you’ve prepared for this. You’ve done the work when times are good to build your resilience and create a mindset that helps you take the next best step, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.
