Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly what will happen every time you’re making a big decision? Maybe you’ve spent hours researching, learning, soul-searching and consulting your psychic to find the answers… only to be paralyzed by all the possible outcomes! If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Making big decisions is hard! And lots of people avoid the biggest decisions in order to live a more predictable life.
But if I’ve learned anything about what makes us tick – I know this: there’s nothing you can do to make sure your decisions are completely risk-free. There’s also no way to consider every single angle and every possible outcome.
Here’s what you can do: focus on the variable you have the most control over, and that is YOU, my friend! The better you know yourself, the more success you’ll have with making the ‘right’ decision, whether it be big or small.
Not sure where to start? These five questions will help you successfully make any decision:
1.What is my desired result?
Many times we think we want a particular outcome and discover that’s not actually what we were searching for. The more clarity you have around what results you’re trying to achieve, the better your chances are for success. Get crystal-clear about your desired result and you’ll know if your decision will get you closer to it or further away.
2. How would I like to feel about this decision?
The thing about decisions is… sometimes we avoid them because we’re avoiding the feelings associated with them. We get uncomfortable and think it’s the decision weighing on us, and many times it’s actually the indecision itself that gets in the way! How would you like to feel as a result of this decision? Connect your feelings with the desired result from question 1, and you have more evidence to make the best choice.
3. If nothing changes and I never make a decision a year from now, how will I feel?
This is called future-pacing. Some decisions feel urgent and this question will help you get to the bottom of it- do you need to make this decision right now, or can it wait? If you ask yourself this question and your answer is: I would hate my life a year from now if nothing changed” then it’s time to make a move.
4. Have I considered all my options?
Listen, as I said before, there is no way to consider every possible option or outcome in a situation – but you can consider a lot of them! With decisions big and small, many people tend to over-simplify. For example: when I was thinking about getting out of the beauty industry (I was a hair and makeup artist), I thought I had next to ZERO options. I could rent a chair somewhere and go back to school or… wait tables? Be a bartender? (I hadn’t considered all my options). Once I cleared some of the self-esteem blocks with the help of a great coach, I was able to see the world open up before me and notice I have MANY marketable skills. I just needed to consider all my options.
5. Do I know anyone else who has made this decision successfully?
One of the best ways to get to the bottom of tip # 4 (above), is to tap into the wisdom of someone else who has already walked your path successfully. There is always someone who has walked a road before you, and even if their situation isn’t identical, it can be helpful to hear about their journey! Search out similar stories as you consider your options – it may help you find the confidence or clarity you need to make your next choice.
Almost every decision will lead to another one that must be made. Your life is a series of choices. You’ll get better at making them when you break through some of the resistance you might feel. Honestly, in many situations, taking action one way or the other is better than no action!
This quote really says it all:
“Make a decision and make the decision right. Line up your energy with it. It doesn’t really matter what you decide, just decide. There are endless options that would serve you enormously well, and all or any one of them is better than no decision.” -Esther Hicks
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