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Which Seat Should I Take?

Written by: Cheryl McDuffie James

Article Overview: This article is the first article from the “Sitting on the Sideline: Life Expectations Series. Part one of this series focuses on the decisions we make or don't make and who we hold accountable.

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Which Seat Should I Take?

I'm not much of a sports fan, but I find that "team" sports make great analogies when it comes to telling a story about life lessons. As many of us are spectators when it comes to sports, so are we in the game of life. I have often wondered why we choose to sit, stand and watch versus jumping in or getting physically involved in the game of our choosing? Could it be based on how risk adverse we are? Could it be based on our physical limitations or abilities? Could it be that we want to observe first and learn how the pros do it? Or simply, could it just be based on our desire to personally do it or idly watch someone else get it done? I guess in the end, no matter why we choose to take a seat in the game of life or actively play the game, at some point we have to decide where we are going to sit.

I have found life to be a series of situational events. Therefore, I have learned that certain situations call for different actions, resulting in a variety of outcomes. The seat we choose to take is often based on our experiences, whether good or bad. With bookstores filled with "how to" and "self help" guides, we can pretty much find an answer to whatever ails us, at least that's what the author wants us to believe. The reality of it all is, the answer still lies within you. It will and always is about the decision you make regarding your situation. Sure the "self help" or "how to" guides can help us build confidence, provide examples, and give us specific decision making techniques that can assist us in our decisions, but ultimately, it's all on you.

As I examine polls, whether they are political or simple taste tests, it never ceases to amaze me as to how much validity (or lack of it) we give to a statistical sampling. Yes, numbers are one way of quantifying results, ideas, etc., but what is acceptable to one pollster, may not be for another. This is true when deciding on which seat to take. One day I was listening to a book on tape on leadership, afterwards, I realized "Great leaders don't lead based on polls, great leaders act on vision". Some of you might say, well all for the leader with the fuzzy eyesight! When we are examining which seat to take, sometimes our vision is very clear, other times it is fuzzy, or maybe you can't see a thing, but regardless of our current state of vision, we can't stand up through the entire event. At some point, we need to take a seat.

Today you will be faced with the decision of which seat to take. Your hope is that your vision is 20/20 at that time. That would conclude that you have a far greater chance of selecting the best seat based on your desired outcome. But, what if your vision is a bit fuzzy at that time and you have quite a bit riding on your seat selection? Do you allow someone to show you to your seat, at least this way you don't have to be fully accountable for your seat selection? Do you take the nearest seat to your current location, this way you can convince yourself that you didn't want to inconvenience other's or cause any additional commotion? Maybe, just maybe, you look deep within, survey the seating sections, identify the open seats, and make a decision to sit in what appears to be the best possible seat to provide you the most desirable outcome while accepting that you alone took responsibility for your seat section as well as the outcome that will come along with that decision.

Too many of us choose the former and not the latter; it just seems easier to let others take responsibility for our outcomes, situations, and circumstances. Remember, when it all comes down to it, we are the master of our fate. The first step in deciding which seat to take begins with accepting the responsibility for your own decisions and moving forward with the lessons that come from that seat selection.

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Article Tags: ails, analogies, bookstores, confidence, decisions, desire, experiences, game of life, help guides, nbsp, physical limitations, polls, pollster, regarding your situation, spectators, sports fan, statistical sampling, taste tests, team sports, validity

About the Author: Cheryl McDuffie James
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Our client services include a full range of business and leadership development services including one-on-one & team business coaching, customized professional development programs, professional facilitation, process management services, and small group seminars as well as speaking engagements upon request. We provide our clients with the tools they require to improve results, achieve goals, and get more out of each interaction.

The firm is led by Cheryl McDuffie James, Managing Director, with over twenty years of experience in the areas of Finance, Marketing, Sales, Consulting, and Process Management. Her experiences were achieved in several industries including, Telecommunications, Pharmaceuticals/Biotech, Restaurant, and Consumer Foods. She serves as Course Instructor for Leadership & Organizational Behavior as well as Section Adjunct of Finance and Marketing for an undergraduate distant learning program. In addition, she serves as Business Contributor for a regional, quarterly magazine for professional women and provides leadership & business development coaching for professionals at all levels including MWBE owners. Ms. James has a BS in Accounting and a MBA. She is also a recipient of multiple sales and leadership awards.