Get this…The average person makes 612 decisions a day. This equals to 4,900 decisions in a week and 254,800 in a year. Whew! Imagine how much time, energy and heartache we would save if we streamlined our decision making process. No more regret! Smooth Sailing! Well, not quite, but we sure can learn a few tricks to make it easier.
When faced with a big decision:
1. Stop and Check In
Take a deep breath and evaluate the situation.
Ask yourself this important question: Knowing what I know now would I make the same decision? If the answer is no, then it may be time for a change.
It’s good to persevere and stay on the path, but not if you are going the wrong way. Sometimes you must cut your losses and invest your time, money or love elsewhere.
Ask yourself, “Is what I am doing now bringing me closer or further away from what I ultimately want? Do I have a nagging sense that things aren’t right? Am I just plain miserable? Sometimes a course correction is the best thing.
An airplane has a control panel that provides information about the direction of the plane. If it’s off, the pilot knows immediately and adjusts. Stay on course and adjust as needed.
2. Listen to your Intuition & Trust your Gut
You know when something isn’t right. It keeps you up at night and preoccupies your mind all day long.
If this is happening, consider that an internal sign to STOP DOING THAT and do something different. Trust yourself and you will get your answers you need. We get into trouble when we ignore our gut instinct and move forward anyway.
How many times did you do something against your better judgement? How did it work out? All problems start out as opportunities. Learn to trust your internal guide. It knows the way.
3. Avoid Analysis to Paralysis
It’s great to gather information to make an informed decision, but too much information can be confusing and keep you stuck.
Getting advice helps, but talking to 100 people and getting 100 different opinions can be overwhelming. Limit your to a few people you trust.
Understand that the mind hates uncertainty. Rarely will you be 100% comfortable with a decision that has an uncertain outcome. You have to take a leap of faith and follow your inner guide.
4. What would you tell a friend to do?
Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. Step outside yourself and see the problem from another perspective.
You know exactly what to do. Often you are procrastinating because of fear or doubt. Get moving. A year from now, you will wish you would have made the decision today.
3. Hit the Reset Button
It’s never too late for a new beginning. You have learned a lot from your current job, relationship, investment or lifestyle, however, it’s time to write the next chapter of your life.
Research estimates that over 9 million people ages 44-70 are already in “encore careers” that combine personal meaning, income and social impact. Many clients come to me in their 50s, 60s and beyond, ready to create the next career, relationship or give more meaning to their life. What’s next for you?
What is the secret of your success?” a reporter asked a bank president.
“Two words, Good decisions.”
“And how do you make good decisions?”
“One word, Experience.”
“And how do you get Experience?”
“Two words, Bad decisions.”
Sometimes there is no “right” decision. Every choice has consequences. Bad decisions teach us lessons and failure our access to success. If you make a mistake, just course correct. You will eventually end up where you need to be as long as you listen to your inner guide.
You will never discover new oceans until you lose sight of the shore. Take risks, live without limits and love full out.
Sometimes the best decision is simply to begin!
