Money or Opportunity ?

Money or Opportunity.

In our careers, is there a perfect match between the two? For example, do you make the amount of money you desire? Along with it, does your career provide you the satisfaction you wish for?

Or do you have a great opportunity, a career that allows you to meet new people, learn new skills, or take on projects you are passionate about?

In exchange for this, you may end up with less money.

Money and ability don’t always align. For example, there is the line, if you work hard enough you will be successful. The truth is a little more complex than this.

If you start a business, you may have great skills, do your job well, but in the end, the business opportunity closes due to not generating enough money. You worked hard but the money didn’t quite keep up.

Take restaurants. So many eating establishments open, and the food is wonderful, the chefs are talented, but for whatever reason, they close because of lack of money.

App developers who are very proficient coders can put together wonderful mobile applications showcasing brilliant coding skills. But, unfortunately, when the money doesn’t arrive, the business will have to close.

Money decisions are deeper than character issues or stories. Here is a simple question I ask about money when weighing opportunities. Does the math work?

For example, there are times when I walk by Starbucks and think, “ I would enjoy being a barista. The trouble with that is this. The math would not work. With the monthly bills I generate, the family supports, student loan debt, I could not meet those obligations being a barista.

It is that simple. The math needs to work.

In my chosen field, I am thankful that I can discern opportunities presented to me.

If the math works, I can take less money for more opportunities.

This has served me well in my career. I have worked for smaller organizations. In a lean organization, you have to take on more roles, but you gain more skills and experience in taking on more roles.

When I have worked for people who adopt a chain of organizational command structure, it never goes well. I get in trouble for working because I am not supposed to step outside of my hula-hoop. Even when I have the skills to step outside. In these types of environments, my skills must surrender to the system. The system is king.

The systems usually provide more money, but the opportunities and the freedom shrink.

At times I am content with this, but it makes me resentful at other times. Resentful because I have taken less money.

So back to my original question. Money or Opportunity. Once the math works, what do you choose?