Questions to Ask before Taking on a New Commitment

Early in my career, I asked an esteemed neighbor if she would mentor me.  She was a senior executive at a highly recognized firm and exuded the kind of confidence I desired to replicate.  She said no due to her current commitments, and initially I was bummed.

With time, I began to admire this executive's ability to understand both the time commitment of my request and her ability to hold boundaries.  Without directly mentoring me, my neighbor taught me about the importance of pausing before taking on a new commitment. It is in this spirit that I developed the following questions before agreeing to any commitment.   

Do I have a clear understanding of this commitment? 

Understanding the specifics of the commitment is step one.  Gather as much information as possible before deciding what you’ll do.

How much time is involved? 

Gauge the number of hours needed to be fully present and do great work.  Check your calendar for schedule conflicts.

What are the tradeoffs if I say yes?  If I say no?

No matter the decision, there will be tradeoffs.  Identify them up front as you determine options.  You cannot do it all.   

What do I really want? 

The most important question comes after you have the details sorted.  If you could freely choose, what would you decide?  Listen to that voice. 

As you grow in your leadership, opportunities present themselves.  You may be asked to join a committee, mentor a colleague, serve on a board, or attend a variety of events on behalf of your organization.  There will be times you jump at the chance to serve, yet certain opportunities might not fit your schedule, your preferences, or your career goals. 

Saying yes to every opportunity is not required, especially when it leads to overwhelm or burnout.  I encourage you to walk through these questions the next time an opportunity comes your way. Use them questions to help you make the most empowered decision possible.

Dr. Katie Stone is the founder of Together Evolving.  Email Katie at katie.stone@togetherevolving.com to learn more about the transformational impact coaching has on you and your leadership.