EP #43 What do you when you cannot decide

Indecisiveness is something that seems to plague a lot of people. It can be appreciated because it has a positive intent. I say this because being indecisive is a strategy unto itself. How do you decide to be indecisive? Well, you have to decide not to decide. It’s the same as no response is a response. You are making a decision not to make a decision.

This episode explores strategies for deciding when indecision takes over. What causes indecisiveness? What are some of the problems it causes? What stops us from making decisions. What are some steps to getting to a good decision? What are four things you need to make good decisions, and what is the formula for making good decisions? What is the role of intuition?

All of it involves clarity at each level.

VISION

Your highest level is Vision – What is your overall vision for your life? How do you see yourself spending your days?  In other words, what do you value; teaching, working with people, working with machines, travel, exploration, discovery, adventure, etc.?

OUTCOMES

Next, how can that Vision be met? These are your possible Outcomes. Do you want to have a career, a hobby, a family, be a homemaker? Your outcomes could be met through a certain type of career (teaching, financial planning, artist, trainer, business coach, travel agent, etc.)

CRITERIA

When you have your vision and possible outcomes, decide what the criteria are in the outcomes. What is important to you about something?

For example, if a person's criteria are working with people, being independent, making over $100,000 a year, having balance, and maintaining their health, they want an outcome that will fit those criteria. You might not be suited to running your own business because you need structure. Where can you get your other criteria met to get what you want and still get the structure? Also, if something does not meet a criterion, you say NO! Other opportunities will come along. 

INFORMATION

Once you have your criteria, outcome, and vision, now make certain you have enough information to decide.  Even your intuition will work better with more information.

Speaking of intuition….if something nags you about it. PAY ATTENTION. A negative pervasive feeling is also information and needs to be checked out by gathering more information. If you can’t get more information, move on.

The other factor worth mentioning here is timing. Sometimes it’s not that you need to decide between either/or but when. Sometimes choices can be ordered on a timeline to contribute to a progression of accomplishments, each step of the development for the next step. Do I go for the dream job, or do I take this consulting job for 4 months? Do the consulting job while looking for a dream job. They aren’t mutually exclusive. They can both be a part of a larger vision.

The formula for decisiveness.

·         Be very clear on your overall vision

·         Be clear about the outcomes that would give you the vision

·         Be concise about your criteria that will meet those outcomes. 

·         Then gather enough information to make the decision intelligent. 

The person who successfully flies by the seat of their pants has taken flying lessons.

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