It’s 4:45pm on a Friday in the doctor’s office where I work. I am a pediatrician and I have been making back to back decisions with a few more still to go.
Deciding which antibiotic to prescribe. Deciding whether or not to send someone to the ER. Deciding what asthma medication to add. Deciding whether or not to add “call specialist” to another parent’s never ending to do list.
Whether for professional or personal decisions, I think we all get tired of making decisions. We get decision fatigue and decide to delay the deciding (which is also a decision). Or we go into analysis paralysis mode and decide not to decide yet. Or we are waiting for that perfect moment – that will never come – to decide.
And all those delayed decisions accumulate as burdens on our brains. A decision not made is a decision that still requires mental space and drags down our joy and life satisfaction. But making better decisions can be learned! It’s a skill that requires brave practice and sometimes a little guidance.
One of the things I help my clients do on coaching calls is to make better decisions, so that they can have more mental energy and space to be creative, to feel at peace, and to be more present. Here are 3 simple things you can do to make better decisions.
Step 1: Decide to decide, to believe that there are things in your control to decide.
First, I help them realize that they have decision making power, even when it seems like many things are out of their control – how coworkers and family members behave, rising cost of services and goods, or the weather on vacation.
“Cumulatively small decisions, choices, actions, make a very big difference.”
– Jane Goodall
Step 2: Know your values, and decide according to your values.
Next, I help them commit to their values. When they know their values, their decisions can align with their values, and living according to our values is what drives life satisfaction.
“Decision making is easy when your values are clear.”
– Roy Disney
Step 3: Make a decision, and another one, and another one.
Lastly, I help them overcome their hesitations to commit to a decision. When you try to change your status quo, even if just a change in your mindset and thoughts, all the reasons to decide to stay the same come flooding in. Which is fine, but my clients don’t hire me to keep things the same in their life. We coach through their doubts and fears to the other side of their decision.
“Often any decision, even the wrong decision, is better than no decision.”
– Ben Horowitz
The more decisions you make, the better you get and the faster you can make them. Then, the faster you start living a fuller, more joyful and satisfying life. Try these steps so that you can always have an answer for…
- What’s for dinner?
- Can my kid go on the tablet?
- Do I accept this speaking invitation?
- Should I apply to other jobs?
- Where should I go for vacation?
- Which activity should my kid sign up for?
- Which conference should I go to?
What are the next tiny and big decisions you will make? What is a decision you have been delaying? Let’s talk about them more. If you want to learn how coaching can help you make better decisions, then click on the link >>>>to schedule<<<< a 20-min chat.
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I love making decisions and helping my clients make decisions, because all those decisions lead up to success and satisfaction in their personal and professional lives. It shows up in how they plan their weekly meals, how they create wealth, how they can be relaxed on vacations, and how they interact with their family members and coworkers. So, cheers to making decisions – better and faster!