Open Doors, Options, New Things & Knowing When To Say No

I used to struggle. A lot.

I spent more than a decade suffocating under a burden of debt.  I wore the letters off of my keyboard building my online business – and finally knew the pleasure of being debt free and being able to pay bills on time.  I know what it’s like to build something from scratch, to work hard for little return with an eye for the long game.   I dreamt of a day when things would come easier.

A wise man once told me to plan your work and work your plan.  Stay in the know, make friends and burn only rickety bridges.  Eventually, a good plan develops its own momentum – but take care.  When things start to come easier – you have to be smarter than ever. 

That advice has been ringing in my ears over the past couple of weeks.

Everywhere I turn, there’s another ‘Open Door’.  Offers of partnership from cool people.  Opportunities to go to the next level.  Options for more, new, better this or that…

And not just in my business life.  In my home life as well.

I’m used to limited options.  A single mom in debt can’t get credit from anyone and has a really hard time being approved for things like apartments and satelite dish companies.  Even after paying off my debts, I had to have a co-signer to buy a used car and had to pay a ridiculous deposit to win a chance with a landlord.

I’m not complaining.  I dug that ditch and knew it was my job to fill it back in one heavy shovel full at a time.

Still, it has been a long road.

Then, on a whim this week I filled out an application for a new place – fully expecting the usual rejection… and got accepted.

You could have knocked me over with a feather.  No request for a co-signer.  No extravagant deposits.  No extra hoops to jump through.  Just my own signature.

Don’t plan any housewarming gifts yet – I decided not to go for it.

As exciting as it is to be approached with great projects and as gratifying as it is to know that my credit is starting to heal and I have more freedom to choose… I have decided to stay right where I am for awhile.

I have objectives for this season of my life and business and they haven’t been met yet.  If I power forward and grab all the gusto I can – I’ll most likely find that I’m not fully prepared for it.

Can anyone relate?

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:

1. Book Review: Options Not Obligations by Marc Warnke
2. Knowing When It’s Time for a Change And Embracing It
3. Knowing When to Work Like a Dog and Go For Broke!