Blog When Saying "Yes" Doesn't Make Sense (But You Do It Anyway)
When Saying "Yes" Doesn't Make Sense (But You Do It Anyway)
A personal story about accepting an unexpected teaching opportunity—and discovering that sometimes the best decisions don't make perfect sense at first.
Yesterday, I grabbed coffee with a friend of mine. What started as a casual catch-up turned into one of the most unexpected decisions I've made in a while.
He asked me—again—if I'd be willing to teach a brand-new subject at a university. No materials. And here's the kicker: as a visiting lecturer, there's no extra budget for developing the course from scratch.
Sounds like a raw deal, right? I thought so too. In fact, I'd already turned it down once, just a week ago.
The course outline they sent me was... let's just say it was clearly written by someone who didn't quite understand the subject. A few buzzwords thrown together, no real direction. If I followed it to the letter, I'd be doing students a disservice—something I just can't bring myself to do.
So Why Did I Say Yes This Time?
Here's the thing: when something keeps knocking on your door, maybe it's worth opening.
I took a step back and looked at it differently. This subject actually aligns with what my company does. And honestly? If I don't teach it, someone else will—possibly someone who'd follow that messy outline and confuse a whole cohort of students.
So I said yes. Not because it made perfect financial sense, but because it felt right.
The Unexpected Win
After I agreed, something amazing happened.
As we kept chatting, my friend and I realized we were completely aligned on how this subject should be taught. By the end of our conversation, he decided to step in as the Subject Leader.
That changes everything.
The Takeaway
Sometimes opportunities don't arrive in perfect packaging. They come messy, inconvenient, and a little unfair.
But if something keeps showing up in your life — actually you're the one making it happen —maybe it's worth pausing and asking: What am I being in this event? What is this opportunity calling me to become?
I have a feeling this journey is going to uncover more treasures along the way. Let's go. 🚀
What about you? Have you ever said yes to something that didn't quite make sense at first? I'd love to hear your story.
I'm Alvin Cheung, an IT pro with 15+ years helping businesses level up their tech. I love finding everyday wisdom and exploring how tech and spirituality can enhance our lives. When I'm not geeking out on IT solutions, I'm sharing stories about personal growth and life lessons.
Email: alvin.cheung@nstrlabs.com
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