Many years ago my work environment had gone from bad to worse. My boss was spinning out of control. Our organization was stressed financially. Horrible decisions were being made to the detriment of me and other employees, and since I was on the lead team, it was making me look bad as well. Our culture was significantly suffering, and it was completely avoidable.

I was coming home day after day stressed out and ready to quit. I kind of did. I put everything in "neutral" for a few weeks and decided I would stop caring, stop trying, just put my head down and do my work. Today we call that "quiet quitting."

I couldn't do it for very long. It went against everything within me to just stop caring or trying. I decided, "If I'm going to be here, I'm going to give it my all." I decided I wouldn't allow myself to drown in my own negativity. I needed to embrace my reality, and either decide to live within it, or go find someplace else to work.

But I needed some guardrails.

I wrote out the following "Ten Choices" statement to keep myself on track, and then shared it with a few friends to keep me accountable. I titled these “choices” because I knew they wouldn't come naturally. It was going to require mental stamina and little dose of help from God to stay true to these choices.  I knew I would fail at times, but would come back to these choices to get back on track.

And I kept it limited to 90-days, knowing that is about all I could commit to doing. I'd reassess and see if I could give it another 90-days.

Tim’s Ten Choices for the Next 90 Days

1. I choose to trust the decisions my boss makes, even if I strongly disagree.

2. I choose to show support for our direction to other staff even if it means I'll get criticized or blamed.

3. I choose to believe my boss is making the best decisions for our organization, even if he seems to only be focused on his own interests.

4. I choose to do everything I can to help this organization succeed, which means helping my boss succeed.

5. I choose to focus on the things I have control over, not the things I can’t change or
   influence.

6. I choose to be okay working at a place where employees are not as highly valued as I believe is right.

7. I choose to resist the pull toward cynicism, and instead choose to be positive.

8. I choose to encourage, build up, develop, mentor and lead others with strength.

9. I choose to do everything in my power to make this organization the best possible place to work for those around and under me.

10. I will choose to leave if I have to compromise my integrity through any of the above choices.

It was a really difficult season. But I stayed for those 90-days. And actually for a few more years. My choices enabled others to look for the bright side as well. My refusal to be pulled into the cesspool of toxic thinking gave me a better perspective. I'd like to think some of these choices helped my boss emerge from a dark season as well.

Need some help diagnosing or turning around your culture? Shoot me an email or let’s set up a call to talk about how I can help your church or organization.

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