Live a Better Life by Making Good Decisions Faster

“When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.” ~ Paulo Coelho

Who you are today is a direct result of the decisions, small and great, you’ve made throughout your life. Sometimes, this can be a bitter pill to swallow. However, once you accept it, you can purposefully alter the way you make decisions, so you can live a better life — one that you design for yourself, not one that’s been designed for you.

Some decisions you make rationally, after weighing the pros and cons. Other decisions you make intuitively, based on an internal sense of knowing what’s right for you.

Sometimes circumstances, like job loss, illness or death, seem to force you in a direction you wouldn’t ordinarily take, but the key thing is that you make a decision on how you will adjust to the circumstance; you control how you act and react.

And we’ve all, at times, made the decision to let someone else decide for us. There’s nothing wrong with that, IF it’s truly your choice to let them make the decision and you’re happy with the direction it takes you.

It’s not okay when you’re being controlled by other people, even if it seems to be for your own good. Being responsible individuals means we retain control of our emotions, thoughts, reactions and actions — no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

Of course, the decision-making skill takes practice and it’s important to be compassionate with yourself when decisions don’t work out as planned. What makes decision-making so complicated is that we’re influenced by so many different factors: your core values, beliefs, habits, memories, experiences, current emotional state, nutritional state, peers, and the media, to mention only a few. All these sources of information influence you on a subconscious level.

This is very significant because making changes to any of these influential factors will allow you to move in the direction you want to go. Over time, you can totally remodel yourself and your surroundings, so you can live a better life.

In order to make an effective decision, be mindful of each of these following steps to the decision-making process…

Step 1: Be ultra-clear about the outcome you desire.

This will align your efforts so you can consistently make effective decisions. Make sure you align your outcome with your values so that you feel in congruence and integrity as you step forward.

Step 2: Courageously take action.

Just take the first step. This will open the way to the next step and so forth. As you do, you experience and learn which brings wisdom to know what to do next.

Step 3: Track and measure your results.

Keep your desired result in mind and look for what’s working and what’s not. Track what’s relevant, which may include anything — from shifts in your attitude, to physical changes, to having more money in the bank, to getting more z’s at night.

Step 4: Remain flexible, curious and open.

Learn to roll with the punches when things don’t work as planned. Be curious about where it will take you next, always keeping the desired, long-term results in mind.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the first step, since it often poses the biggest obstacle. Here’s how you can get clear about your choices and their consequences:

• Assemble all the relevant information, from all points of view. Avoid making assumptions; get the facts.
• Take time to consider each option and imagine what the results will be if you choose it.
• Ensure the decision is aligned with how you want your life to be, not catering to habitual traps, like people-pleasing or perfectionism.
• Assess the pros and cons.
• Identify the worst-case scenario.
• Make an informed decision, trust yourself, take full responsibility, and put 100% effort into it.
• Learn from your experience and focus on making bolder decisions from a position of integrity and honor.

Sometimes we can over-complicate the decision-making process. Would you like to explore further why decision-making is so difficult for you personally? I’d be happy to partner with you through this process. Please contact me and schedule an “Unlocking Your Potential” 30-minute complimentary consultation by phone or via Skype. We can uncover the source of indecision and help you develop some skills that support you as you live a better life. After all, I believe you deserve to live your best life ever!