The Scenario: From time to time we are all presented with requests that we’re not entirely comfortable with. But remember, you always have the choice of how to respond: ACCEPT or ACQUIESCE
To ACCEPT is a proactive choice based on evaluation and judgement.
Insight: The key here is pausing to keep the request in your mental holding tank for consideration. This gives you the freedom to either ACCEPT the request because it’s consistent or consonant with your value system, or reject it because it isn’t. No matter which option you choose, exercising your will gives you a feeling of positive control over whatever you were presented with.
To ACQUIESCE is to give in to something or someone.
Insight: By choosing to merge without challenge or evaluation into someone else’s context, you run the risk of ceding your will, initiative or control. One risky side-effect of often choosing to ACQUIESCE is that you might start to feel that your will or sense of self is becoming eroded by it.
The Takeaway: Life isn’t perfect, so at times the nature of a particular circumstance may dictate whether your best choice is to ACCEPT or ACQUIESCE. But as long as your choice is a deliberate one and you have confidence in your rationale for it, you’re still moving towards your potential.