The sun peaks between the curtains
in the bedroom window. It's another day. A new beginning. The first question,
after a quick trip to the bathroom of course, is 'what to have for breakfast.'
Trying to watch my weight, it's not going to be Frosted Flakes or some large
cinnamon breakfast pastry. Yogurt again?
After pouring myself a cup of
coffee (no cream or sugar), do I want to watch the news on TV, read the morning
paper, or read a few more chapters of the latest novel I started? Opting to
read the newspaper, I usually go the 'Horoscopes' first. While I generally do
not allow them to determine the kind of day I might have, often they do provide
some insight.
On this particular day I am warned
that it will be a day “filled with questions that may require difficult or
elusive decisions, potentially effecting the next couple of days ahead.”
Every day we are confronted with
the need to make decisions, some of them very important, ones that could have a
powerful impact upon life. As humans, we are generally very bad at making
decisions and choices, especially when it comes to the 'big ones.'
The process of making a big,
difficult decision can cause sleepless nights, fear and regret for making the
wrong decisions, or just not knowing the potential outcomes of the choices we
make.
Most of the decisions we make on a
daily basis occur without really even thinking about them. What to have for
breakfast or what to wear to work do not require a great deal of thought,
unless you have a job interview and what you wear may have some degree of
important. Does this tie really match my sport coat?
As a child, many of the decisions
that affect our lives are made by parents or older brothers and sisters. “If
you tell mom or dad about the party, I'll kill you.” But I'm too young to die!
The first important decision most
face is...” What do you want to be when you grow up?” How do I know? I can't
even cross the street by myself yet and now I have to decide on a job or
career. Whatever!
Over time we do learn how to make
decisions and we discover that there are really only two things to consider,
'you' and the process you use. It is at this point those things sometimes fall
apart.
The 'you' part is pretty simple. If
you are having a good day, the decisions made may work out well, but a bad day
may lead to much different results. Under pressure or stress? It probably is
not a good day to make that all important decision. Let your body be your
guide. Quite simply, how do you feel today?
In general, good moods often equal
good decisions, while bad moods...well, you know.
The second thing to consider is the
process to use. Some people use intuition, others may take a more rational or
organized approach, such as laying out a decision tree or map or use the Ben
Franklin model, consisting of a piece of paper with two columns, one labeled
'pro', the other 'con'. Worked for him. Will it work for you?
Some thoughts about making good decisions.
First. Listen to instincts, but don't let them be the boss. Next. Try to look
at all the alternatives. Third. If you have a bit of time on your side,
separate yourself from the emotions of the moment. Distance gives perspective.
Fourth. By not making a decision, you are, in actually, making a decision. You
are deciding not to decide. Not a good idea if you are seeking an outcome of
some kind.
So, what to have for breakfast
today? Instead, I think I'll just go back to bed and try to catch an extra
minute of sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment