Making Decisions: 10 Questions to Help You Decide between “Yes” and “No”

As musicians, we are frequently in the position of evaluating opportunities to decide if we want to accept them or not.  Sometimes we have a strong feeling very quickly about a particular opportunity, and the decision is easy.  But what about those times when the decision isn’t quite so clear? Here are ten questions to ask yourself to help make those tough decisions. 

1. Does this opportunity provide financial compensation that you feel is appropriate? If not, could you negotiate the compensation? Are there other benefits besides the money that are more important to you for this particular opportunity?
2. Does this opportunity interest you? 
3. Do you want to work with this person/people/organization? Do they have a good reputation/track record?
4. Would this opportunity help you reach a short term goal?
5. Would this opportunity help you move towards achieving a long term goal?
6. Would this opportunity connect you with individuals or groups who may be beneficial to your career? 
7. Where are you in your career, and is this an opportunity that you feel aligns with your current goals? (We often say yes to more varied opportunities early on, and then as our career progresses, learn from those varied opportunities and focus in on what opportunities we really prefer)
8. Will this opportunity help you grow as a professional?
9. If you accepted this opportunity, what would be the primary reason behind pursuing it?
10. Do you have time to take on this opportunity? If not, would you make time for it, or sacrifice something else? Are the benefits of the opportunity worth those sacrifices?