There is power in decision making On the flip side, indecision is disempowering. There are two questions that help you get past indecisiveness. Last week I was faced with making an important decision about my business. I could have sat down, weighed the options, and come up with a sound decision. Instead I got stuck in the weeds of indecision.
Thankfully I have mental tools in my back pocket that helped me out of the weeds. Indecision can be a major roadblock for many people, so I wanted to share these tools with my readers. It boils down to asking the right questions, and particularly two specific questions.
When we are indecisive, we are generally unsure of what we really want in that moment. Things get fuzzy and confusing. So, question #1 to ask is:
What am I seeking with this decision?
Asking this question will help your decision making, and clarify what you are seeking. As a result you can be better aligned to make a decision. Sometimes what you want is not anything other than a feeling.
For example, you may want a feeling of comfort. Sometimes this may be confused with wanting a thing, or an outcome such as a certain amount of income, or a specific position at work. When really it may just be that you had a bad night’s sleep and are seeking a feeling of comfort and security.
There are times however, that what we want is actually a specific outcome or thing, such as a job, a home in a different neighborhood, or a boat.
Once you identify what it is you are seeking, whether it’s a feeling, a thing, or an outcome, you can then determine the next step. To do this, ask yourself question #2:
What needs to happen to move toward what I want?
Asking this follow up question gives you direction in your decision making process. For example, if it’s a feeling of comfort the you want, you may answer this question as “I need to take a warm bath and snuggle up with a good book”.
If you are seeking a specific outcome, such as a job, the answer may be “I need to review my resume and ensure it’s targeted for the job I want”.
If it’s a thing you want, such as a boat, the answer may be “I need to determine my budget and search for options in my price range”.
The answer to this second question becomes the decision you make in that moment. You have determined what you need to do, and you take action. If it is a multi-step decision process, then go back to question #1.
Repeat the questions if necessary.
For example, let’s say question 1 revealed that you are wanting to land a specific job, and question 2 revealed that you need to review and update your resume. There is still more to do.
Since the answer to question 1 remains the same (you want the job), you then ask what needs to happen now to move toward getting that job. The answer may be something like ‘I need to write a targeted cover letter for the job’ Continue asking the questions until the answer to question 2 becomes ‘there is nothing more I can do right now’.
And of course, if the decision process requires several rounds of questions, you do not need to do all on the same day, or weekDo what you reasonable can, and continue to move forward with time.
Decisions create a sense of empowerment. Ask the right questions and you will be out of the weeds and on your way toward your goal.
What better time to make a change than NOW?
Lynne,
Your Mindset Mental Coach
