photo by Daniel Bowman
Does it seem, no matter how carefully you try to make good decisions, chaos and stress soar? Does it get worse during the holiday season as you strive to buy, go, and do even more?
Why making good decisions seems difficult.
We have more choices than any culture at any time in history. We are bombarded with alternatives every second. As a result, we suffer from choice fatigue.
Drowning in a sea of options and opinions, we are afraid to make a choice for fear it will be the wrong one. We find ourselves paralyzed with indecision.
So the decisions are often made for us -- demanding more of our time, money, and energy. Unexamined decisions cause a backlog in our lives.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
We can regain control of our decision-making mojo. We can identify what is (and is not) worthy of our time and attention. We can consciously let go of "too many" things and focus on a certain few.
Author Greg McKeown says, "We aren't looking for a plethora of good things to do. We are looking for our highest level of contribution; the right thing the right way at the right time."
My story.
Several years ago we were visiting my parent's cabin on The Kings River in early September. The evening was warm and peaceful. My family was inside making preparations for my birthday supper while I enjoyed a glass of red wine on the deck.
I took a slow sip and closed my eyes to reflect on the last year. I imagined what the next year might hold. The possibilities were plump; my heart fluttered with anticipation.
But without warning, I began brooding over the things I wanted to accomplish and had not. Anticipation was suddenly overruled by anxiety and overwhelm.
I dropped my head to pray, "Jesus," I asked, "What's wrong with me? Why do I turn everything into a perpetual to-do list? Why can't I be content instead of always wanting more?"
Disappointed in myself, I slumped into a chair. I tipped up my glass for a gulp this time. Just when I was about to be really hard on myself, I heard three sentences.
"You can do anything you want to do, Sweetheart. You just can't do everything you want to do. You must choose."
The words rose up from the river valley and simultaneously originated from within. The wisdom settled between my ears and dripped down into my heart. I stood up and walked to the railing as I repeated it.
I realized the freedom in it. That birthday, I abandoned the notion that I could do every thing and began searching for my certain few.
3 ways we can strengthen our decision-making mojo.
It's impossible to do everything that comes along, so it's essential we choose well. Great decisions build a great life.
Here are three things you can do today if you want to improve your decision-making mojo.
- Determine now that indecision will no longer bounce you around like a ball between circus seals. Take ownership of your decisions. Commit to making them rather than letting circumstances and exhaustion make them for you.
I use these filters on a regular basis, so I know you can too. This is a process of narrowing and honing and listening and experimenting. The more you do it, the stronger your decision-making mojo grows.
One more way.
I've discovered the primary piece that makes my decision mojo flow is -- knowing my "why." When we know our "why" -- the "what's" and "how's" come more naturally.
If you want to know your "why," I'll be holding a free event in January 2016 to help you uncover it. Get on the list to receive the details in early January.
Great decisions are waiting.