“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” William James

So, you have been offered a promotion. That’s a ‘WOW’ moment for sure. But are you confident to accept it immediately, without questioning yourself whether it would be right for your life and career advancement or not. Is accepting that reward really the best move to boost your career?

Now many of you must be thinking why accepting a promotion could not be rewarding? Or what if one refuses to accept the offer? In the past people refrained from saying no to promotion in career. They felt that something is terribly wrong with people who kick out the opportunity to step up in their career life. Come on folks! Let me raise your spirits, nothing happens at all except that you become more confident and independent to make decisions best suitable for your own well-being.

Why is promotion not always a good thing?

Climbing up the ladder of success is always fun. However, sometimes it could be a delusionary ladder that might not lead towards happier and healthier living. This is because acquiring a higher position in your organization isn’t always a piece of cake. Sometimes it becomes more horrifying.

Yes, it’s factually true that everyone loves to move forward in his career. But is promotion an only solution? To some extent ‘Yes’. However, you must ask yourself if you are on right track of accepting it or you should stay at your current position.

How to decide which move is best to take; Accept or Decline?

Convincing yourself is the first step. Make a compelling argument to your decision’s pros and cons. Your inner voice is the best way to know if you should jump at the opportunity or avoid it; hold on to your gut feeling. For the final verdict, consider below listed tips:

• Are you ready for additional responsibilities?

Promotion means a new job with huge network of responsibilities. It may entail excessive meetings, longer working hours or frequent travelling, team and project management etc. Your boss may be impressed with your performance but it’s you who knows your working capacity. If you think you are capable of handling all such time consuming and demanding tasks; go ahead and accept the challenge.

• Is this what you actually want?    

Envision the change in your routine work, as there would be a great transformation both in your professional and personal life style. Afterwards, decide if you can take good control of your new job or you should turn it down. Be affirmative only if you like what you visualize.

• Are you prepared to step up?

Though your boss may be impressed by your work and assume that you can take care of different responsibilities permanently. But accept the promotion opportunity only when you have enough expertise and appropriate training to minimize the mistakes. This is because if you are not well prepared to take on this new opportunity, it may damage your career.

• If opted to step up, then what?

Will this promotion take you away from what you love to do? Make sure that you will not be stuck on that plateau and can advance further. How long do you have to wait for the next seniority level? Whether this opportunity is worth it? If yes, then would you be considered as a potential candidate for the next chair? Bear in mind all this and then decide.

Conclusion:

Engage yourself only in the work that is highly stimulating and rewarding for you. If not, then turn down any promotional offer without closing the door to future opportunities. To do this, communicate with your boss in person. Let him know that you are grateful for his offer and that you appreciate him knowing that your contributions are very much respected. Make it clear to him that you cannot accept his offer this time, and your current position is better.