The Third Option: Stop Choosing Between Two Bad Choices
Ever found yourself stuck between two options that don’t really excite you? Maybe you’re debating whether to stay in your current job or take another one that’s basically the same, just with slightly better pay. You weigh the pros and cons, overanalyse the details, ask a few friends (who all say different things), and still feel stuck.
I’ve been there. And what I’ve realised is this: if you’re struggling to decide, it’s often because neither option is the right one.
More often than not, there’s a third option—one we don’t even consider because we’re too focused on picking between the choices in front of us. And that’s where real breakthroughs happen.
The Job Dilemma: When Neither Option Is Exciting
Not long ago, I was speaking with someone about their career. They felt stuck in their job—uninspired, a little drained, but comfortable. Then, a recruiter reached out with an offer. Same role, slightly better pay.
On paper, it looked like a step forward. But as they were explaining their options, I could tell something was off.
“What do you think?” they asked.
I paused before responding. “If this new job didn’t come with a pay bump, would you even consider it?”
They shook their head. “No way.”
That was the moment it became clear—they weren’t excited about either choice. They were choosing between a job they didn’t love and… the same job with slightly fancier office snacks.
I get it. I’ve been in this situation before, where I felt stuck between two options that weren’t great. It took me a while to realise that if I was having a tough time making a decision, it wasn’t because I needed to analyse it more. It was because neither option was actually the right one.
This is the mistake so many people make: we think the only choices we have are the ones directly in front of us. But what if they had instead asked:
What kind of role would actually excite me?
What if I went for something completely different—maybe an industry switch or a leadership position?
What if instead of looking for a 10% salary bump, I thought about how to double my income?
The third option isn’t about small improvements—it’s about breaking the cycle and making a leap.
The Success vs. Well-Being Myth
Here’s another false choice I see all the time: Do I focus on success, or do I take care of myself?
For years, I believed the same thing many founders do—that to build something meaningful, I had to push myself to the limit. Work crazy hours. Prioritise the business over sleep, exercise, and relationships. Who needs proper meals when you can just live off coffee (or bubble tea) and hope?
But then I started seeing a pattern. The times when I was at my best—when I made the best decisions, took the biggest leaps, and actually enjoyed the journey—were the times when I was looking after myself.
The reality is, success and well-being aren’t opposing forces. They fuel each other.
When you’re well-rested, mentally sharp, and physically strong, you:
✅ Make smarter decisions
✅ Work more efficiently (so you don’t need to grind endlessly)
✅ Have the energy to seize big opportunities instead of just surviving the day
I used to think “hustling” meant working more hours. Now I realise real hustle is having the discipline to stop working when it’s time to rest.
And I’m not the only one who’s come to this realisation. Lately, I’ve been spending more time with people who also want to perform at a high level—without burning out. It’s something I’ve been so passionate about that I decided to build a space for it. More on that in a second.
How to Find Your Third Option
If you’re stuck between two choices that don’t excite you, it’s time to rethink the problem. Here’s how:
1. Stop Settling for Marginal Gains
If you’re choosing between two jobs and one is slightly better, ask:
What job would actually make me excited?
If I had to take a leap, what would that look like?
If you’re debating between grinding 80-hour weeks or slowing down, ask:
How do I build a system where I don’t have to burn out to be successful?
2. Question the Assumption That You Only Have Two Choices
We assume we have to pick between the options in front of us. But what if neither is the right one?
If you’re debating between two career paths, explore a third—starting a business, switching industries, or negotiating for a completely different role.
If you’re choosing between two work schedules, design a third one that maximises both productivity and recovery.
This applies outside of work too. Trying to decide between getting fit or having a social life? Train with friends. Debating whether to meal prep or eat out? Find a restaurant that won’t make you feel like you’ve just swallowed a brick. Life isn’t always an either-or situation.
3. Look for Leverage, Not Just Incremental Improvement
The best opportunities aren’t small steps forward. They’re jumps.
Instead of a 10% raise, think: How do I double my income?
Instead of choosing between two habits, ask: Which one will create the biggest long-term impact?
4. Expand Your Time Horizon
The third option often requires patience.
The best job move might not be switching today—it might be building skills for the next 12 months and then making a huge leap.
The best health move isn’t an overnight transformation—it’s setting up a system that makes success inevitable over the next 5 years.
Conclusion
If you constantly feel stuck choosing between two options that don’t excite you, that’s your cue. It’s not that you need to analyse them more—it’s that neither is the right one.
The best opportunities are usually the ones we don’t initially see because we’re too focused on making a slightly better version of the same choice.
Don’t settle for a marginal gain when a transformative leap is possible. Look for the third option.
And if this resonates with you—if you’re someone who doesn’t want to choose between building something meaningful and living a full, balanced life—that’s exactly why I created The Komo Club.
It’s a space designed for founders, operators, and high performers who are tired of choosing between success in business and success in life. The first cohort is for people who know they don’t have to sacrifice their health, relationships, or personal growth to build something meaningful—they just need the right environment, frameworks, and network to make it happen. Because real success isn’t an either-or decision—it’s about designing a life where all the important pieces work together.
If that sounds like you, I’d love to chat. Shoot me a message by replying to this email or apply below.
No pressure—just an option. Maybe even a third one. 😉
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About me
Hi, I’m Rohit and I’m the Founder of The Komo Club, where I help high-performing founders and executives win in business and life through self-leadership and scalable systems. I also host The Startup Playbook Podcast, where I’ve interviewed over 200 of the world’s top founders, investors, and operators, and I’m a General Partner at Playbook Ventures, backing early-stage startups. Before this, I was a founder myself, so I know firsthand how messy the journey can be. Now, my focus is on helping others navigate the ups and downs—through content, community, and conversation.
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