We make hundreds of decisions a day. Most without thinking. Some we should have thought about a bit longer!
I’ve been talking with a friend about decisions and why they can be difficult to make. It’s usually when the decision will affect more than just us, that we struggle.
I recently read an article by Steve Pavlina, “How to Make Smart Decisions in Less than 60 Seconds,” where he encourages us to ask the following questions, “Is this really me?” Does what I am about to do fit my personality or my inner self? In this way, he opines, we will eliminate the outside interests when making a decision. Nice idea but I need to dumb it down (for me) so here’s the question I ask, “Is this something I would advise a close friend to do?”
My typical modus operandi is to make decisions quickly and move on. I don’t want to take too much time because I will have 10 other decisions behind it waiting to be made! Not my greatest trait!
What I try to pay attention to is avoiding making a decision when I am angry or overly emotional – (shout out to my son who watches me blow this almost every day!). When I do this, my decision will almost always back fire. Here’s where I do get tripped up, especially with the kids.
The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to make a decision. And despite our attempts to predict the outcome, there are so many variables in life that it is nearly impossible to know where your path will take you. We can only make the best decision we know how to make at the time we make it. This has been my lesson to my kids as they are often faced with, what seems to them to be, tough decisions of friendship, behavior and other life choices.
The other thing I’ve employed lately? My two “new” best friends: Time and Patience. When they’re in the picture, I seem to be alright!
Have a wonderful Sunday! I hope you have no decisions to make other than when to take a nap!
theyearof50 