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Standing in that locker room, staring at my jeans and realizing I’d forgotten my shorts, my brain immediately jumped to “well, that’s it, time to go home.” It’s funny how quickly we accept defeat, isn’t it? One small obstacle and suddenly we’re convinced there’s only one path forward—usually the disappointing one. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of coaching people through career changes and life transitions: that instinct to see only one option, to accept the first limitation as final, is almost always a lie we tell ourselves. The truth is messier and more hopeful. You almost always have more choices than your frustrated, rushed, or scared brain wants you to believe. The question isn’t whether other options exist—it’s whether you’re willing to slow down long enough to see them.
As I stood in the locker room, I stopped and asked: are there any other options?
I found one: I could tell the instructor that I’d be late and then I’d go home to get my shorts.
I went to the door of the spin room. There were lots of people warming up on bikes— many of them looking at me, as I walked in wearing street clothes. The instructor wasn’t there. I still didn’t like the idea of heading home, so I returned to the locker room.
Again, I asked: are there any other options? I caught sight of the lost and found bin. No. That’s absurd and disgusting… but (like it or not) it is an option. Moments later I had dug through the bin and found a pair of shorts. They were 2 sizes too big and who knows who had worn them last. This was not ideal, but it was the best option to get to class on time (I now believe that the staff washes lost items to protect the hygiene of the locker rooms— lucky for me).
I went to class and pedaled hard for 45 minutes in a pair of shorts two sizes too big from the locker room lost and found.
So often we get to junctures in our lives when we feel like there’s only one option and we go home defeated, but if you want something bad enough, you might be surprised at the other options that open up to you. It will take sacrifice — I didn’t want to wear those shorts, but I wanted to go to that class even more.
When you know what you want and the impact that you want to make, you may be surprised to find that you have more options than you think. This newfound clarity can illuminate various paths that align with your aspirations. With a strategic approach, such as implementing effective goal setting strategies for success, you can prioritize your actions and harness your resources more efficiently. Embracing this mindset not only fosters confidence but also encourages resilience in the face of challenges.
If you want it enough, you will find a way to move toward it.[Tweet that]
That day at the gym, I didn’t have a lot at stake. It was just a class. Not a huge deal. But the truth applies— I didn’t feel like I had any options.
There’s always another option.
I think Thomas Edison was on to something when he said, “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t.” The man who invented the light bulb, electric utilities, video recording, and sound recording (among many others) has some credentials when it comes to breakthroughs and making the impossible possible.
There are always other options. You just have to find them.[Tweet that]
Know what you want. Own that you want it. And look for the other options.
You’re more free than you think you are. [tweet that]
In the comments, have you ever found a surprising other option? How do you find a way forward when you feel stuck? Click here to share your thoughts!
Why is it important to consider other options?
Most major decisions involve more possibilities than initially apparent. Exploring alternatives prevents false binaries where you choose between two unsatisfying options while better paths exist. Your calling often requires unconventional choices that only become visible through deliberate exploration.
How do you find other options?
Question assumptions about what’s possible or required. Ask what constraints you’re accepting unnecessarily. Seek examples of people who solved similar challenges differently. Combine elements from multiple paths rather than choosing one exclusively. The goal is expanding possibility space beyond obvious choices.
What prevents people from seeing other options?
Cultural scripts, conventional expectations, and binary thinking limit perceived options. Fear of judgment makes unconventional paths seem riskier than they are. Limited exposure to diverse life examples makes alternative possibilities literally invisible—you can’t choose what you can’t imagine.
When should you look for other options?
Explore alternatives when facing major decisions, when all obvious choices feel wrong, or when you’re tempted to settle for less than what you want. Also reconsider options periodically as circumstances change—paths impossible five years ago may now be viable.
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