Decisions? Make ‘em!
Be honest, did you ever yell “make good decisions” out the window of the car as your child walked into a dance, or school or some social thing? Really? Just me then?
Decisions are vastly misunderstood. I mean the skill of decision-making. We get into trouble here because we are convinced there is always a right or wrong decision. It starts a paralysis that delays the decision and everything that needs to happen as a result. The most successful people I know (personally and professionally) are terrific at decisions. They aren’t afraid to make a wrong one. I believe we call that decisive.
The game changer is they make decisions ahead of time. It’s part of a winning time management habit. Carving out the mental space to purposely make decisions about upcoming events, deadlines, personal details, etc. It’s an efficient executive skill that is a common thread in life as well (did you know you are the CEO of your life? If not you, who?) Here’s what I mean.
Purposefully considering the upcoming decisions and making them in an analytical and thoughtful way saves so much time.The decision comes from the highest thinking. From the planning and executive function part of our brain, not the emotional and reaction part. More importantly it frees up room in your brain to move on and tackle the next thing. Follow? The decision is thoroughly investigated and made. There is no back and forth in your mind, doubting or fuzzy thinking. Done. Clean. Moving on.
The alternative, delayed or procrastinated decisions, is termed “decision debt” by Brooke Castillo. A brilliant concept. Just like consumer debt, decision debt needs to be paid. It’s the proverbial kick the can down the road. Except, then when you finally make the decision (from the piled up list you’ve been putting off) chances are it won’t be the highest quality decision. You’d be making it against a deadline, pressure, lack of focus and I said earlier from a debt space. Just like when you purchase items you don’t have cash for now on credit cards, it's allocating future funds because they will need to go to VISA. An unmade decision doesn't just go away, it remains unmade, which in a way is a bill to be paid. Until then it’ll float around in your mind, coloring the thought space you could use for exciting and creative projects.
Often we just keep living at the effect of previously made decisions, that’s just default, and I see what you're doing there. Decisions can either energize you and provide some good momentum or in the case of decision debt, wear you down.
Where have you been in a decision debt space? Just like cleaning out your closet, getting those decisions made will offer you a more productive larger space to operate from. Creativity will seep in and inventive alternatives will have the stage to get your attention. It’s you at your best.
I hope this week brings clarity and decisions for you. You know what to do! Make them, follow through and see how much easier everything else will be. I call it the decision trickle down, let me help you get started.
Grateful for you,
Anne