neighbor's unemployed son offers to do the job for eight
dollars an hour. A deal, right?
If you're a long-time homeowner, you know where this is
going. The lawn service comes with power tools that get the
job done faster. They show up on time, don't take long
breaks, leave the boom box at home, and stay until the job
is done.
Measured by the hour, they're more expensive. Measured by
output per dollar, they're considerably cheaper.
This example seems fairly straightforward, especially if
you've been there. But during a life transition, you
evaluate services you've never used, and your former choices
can look different after you've started the journey.
A career service offers a low cost-per-hour but asks you to
sign up for three months. An online agency promises to list
your organizational website at a very low cost but delivers
zero benefits. A web designer quotes a low cost-per-page,
but you soon realize you'll end up paying more than the
project fee proposed by a competing service.
In the early stages of a transition, most people need a
guide. After all, if you move to a new city, you can't
assess housing prices until you know the going rate. On a
transition journey, you've landed on a new planet.
And sometimes you make choices that horrify others who
haven't been on the journey.
Irma announced her decision to join the local country club,
although her financial outlook was dismal.
A poor value?
Yes, if Irma finds herself sitting alone at lunch,
unable to maintain friendships with affluent fellow members.
"Let's go out toè" can mean spending Irma's weekly food
budget on a single evening.
And the word "snob" was coined for a reason.
But if Irma can use the club to make contacts, she's making
a smart move. Eating in a private dining room,
surrounded by successful people, she may be motivated to
work hard to stay there. She may view the members as
friendly and supportive. And if she finds even one
mentor, she's made a wise investment, not a splurge.
Sometimes only you, and your intuition, can tell the
difference. And often a little research and an
experienced guide can help you make more accurate and
life-enhancing appraisals.
---------------------------------
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., author of Making the Big
Move, helps midlife professionals navigate
career and business transitions.
Complimentary Special Report:
"How Smart People Can Derail During Transitions"
http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html .
Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/feedback.html
Phone: 505-534-4294