how do you know if you want to do something?

red_devil

I responded to an advert in our local people for magistrates needed at the local magistrates court?

I have got the pack and all the information. Need to start thinking about sending it off. I just dont know if i want to go for it? How do you know if something is right for you? I must have been interested to ask for the pack but i dont know whether to take it further. Its only yearly intake so need to go for it now?

Maybe someone might say something which will sway me or make me think about something I hadnt thought of? Help me reach my decision.

Any thoughts?
Does anyone else ever get this situation?

mookiandco

Some of the best decisions I ever made were those spur of the moment ones or ones that I didnt think about and overanalyse.

I saw an advert on TV when I was 18 asking for volunteers to help in community projects. I phoned the number straight away without thinking. I ended up working for a year with children with autism and speech and language difficulties in my gap year because of it. I learnt sign language and learnt so much. I also did a skydive for charity because of it. I still class it as one of the best years of my life.

You must have applied for the pack on instinct, so trust it and see where it takes you. If further down the line you realise its not for you then you can always back out.

Marcheline

Hi yeah I know what you mean. I had a similar thing with a voluntary role within my local education authority and was undecided whether to go for it or not. Got all the paperwork and then kept it for ages deciding what to do!! Anyway, I eventually went for it and haven't looked back. I have ended up spending more of my own time than I anticipated on the role, but it's rewarding so well worth it. It is also nice for people to see you doing voluntary stuff and encourages others to think about giving of themselves too.

Obviously only you can make the decision, but before you do: look at your other commitments and decide whether you can truly do everything you do justice (no pun intended) if you go for this new role. Also expect to spend more of your time than you origianlly anticipated on it!

Have you read these testimonials: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Becomingamagistrate/DG_071392

If I had the time, I'd go for it myself!! Good luck whatever you decide.

Pee

You know whether you want to do something. You know whether you want to do this or not. What you are questioning is whether your application will succeed and if it won't, would you be better off not applying. Noone can foretell whether you will be successful. The chances are you would be more likely to be successful as an applicant if you had previously applied. If you want to up your chances of success, ask can you work shadow a JP or speak to one of them about their role - that will give you some insider knowledge which might help.

Very true though that it will take up much more of your time than you expect!

GPedro

Not sure that indeciveness is a desirable trait in a magistrate... I don't think you should do it.

galvanizersbaby

red_devil wrote: »

I responded to an advert in our local people for magistrates needed at the local magistrates court?

I have got the pack and all the information. Need to start thinking about sending it off. I just dont know if i want to go for it? How do you know if something is right for you? I must have been interested to ask for the pack but i dont know whether to take it further. Its only yearly intake so need to go for it now?

Maybe someone might say something which will sway me or make me think about something I hadnt thought of? Help me reach my decision.

Any thoughts?
Does anyone else ever get this situation?

Red Devil - it wasn't after our posting the other day about only ever hearing one side of the story with family problems and MSE being a bit like a court room was it?

Seriously, I think if it were me if I would doubt whether my heart was really going to be in it if I was having to question whether I actually wanted to do the role - I guess what I'm asking is what drew you to it in the first place?

PasturesNew

I think if you're not even sure about doing it, when you've just received the pack, then you might not feel confident about deciding the fate of some hapless individual stood before you in a courtroom.

Dave101t

go with your gut feeling, or is it fools rush in where angels fear to tread? id say less analyzing, more doing!

Errata

Write down all the benefits and drawbacks and see which list is the longest one ?
Carry on with the application and don't make a decision until you're offered the appoinment ?
Talk to an experienced magistrate ?
Phone a friend ?

Katie-Kat-Kins

It is something I'd love to do but can't, so I'd say go for it.

Seriously the application process will be designed to weed out people who are unsuitable or can't cope with the requirements. So if you like the sound of the role and feel it is something you would like to do apply, you might not get in or you might who knows. There will be plenty of opportiunities to drop out if it isn't for you.

red_devil

KatP wrote: »

It is something I'd love to do but can't, so I'd say go for it.


why would you like to do it out of interest!

Thanks for all the comments. I think I am going to go for it. See what happens etc!