How to make big decisions 101
3min read
Do big decisions scare the sh1t out of you?
The BIG resignation that would take you out of your comfort zone...
The BIG break up with lots of consequences on life as you know it...
The BIG health kick that would mean challenging yourself...
The BIG move to a quieter life that you’ve been thinking about for a while...
The BIG change that will turn your life upside down...
BIG DECISIONS !!!
Ok, so nearly one month down to start 2022 and have you made that big decision yet?
No matter how much we try avoiding them, we are sometimes faced with no choice at all. I’m talking about that one BIG decision, the one burning a hole in your mind… looming… every morning when you wake up and say “Arggghhhh [whatever that decision is], I must do something about that.”
It probably comes up more often on a Monday. I call it “The excuse day” = The day that is full of excuses we make to ourselves for not making the BIG decision and act on it.
I get it, making the decision for a big change can be tough, it can be anxiety-inducing and scary as hell but on the other side of it sits a whole new story for you.
So why are you not making your big decision? Because you don’t know how the result will turn out?
Really?! Life is not like watching your favourite movie for the 50th time, where you know what happens next.
Life is about taking the chance to do more, to be more. Taking the opportunity of what could be.
So you may rationalise this to yourself by saying “I just don’t know how to take the leap and make the BIG decision.”
Now, that's BS!
B is for Behaviours
Let me ask you one question: What can NEVER making the decision look like?
In its most extreme form there is Decidophobia (yep, that’s actually a real word). Which is defined as the “irrational fear of making decisions.” People who have this might even have panic attacks and full on meltdowns when thinking about making BIG decisions.
I’ll take my chances here to assume that is not what’s stopping you.
So how else does it show up?
Putting off until tomorrow, yet tomorrow seems to never come.
Making a different decision to what you really should, just to get out of making the BIG one.
Taking no time to look into the decision, then throwing your hands up and putting it all in the TOO HARD basket.
Asking the friend who you know is risk averse “Should I take this big chance and make this decision?” For them to say “HELL NO!”
In some cases, you might have a physical reaction to a big decision, physical signs of anxiety… if it’s that extreme it might be time to seek some professional help.
However, often and for most people, it really is about taking every other option available instead of the strategic approach that can lead you down the right path.
You end up never making the actual big decision, instead being satisfied to say “My life sucks… When does the pity party start?!”
C'mon, that's real BS!
S is for Strategies
This may read a little harsh but if you have struggled making big decisions in the past, you need to make one big decision this year, that’s a fact!
I would like to start by saying, let’s get past the right and wrong decision thing. This decision will likely not be the end of your world, so let’s take some of the weight off it now.
Look at your BIG decision as DAY ONE of a chain of events that is exciting!
How to make big decisions 101
Quantify the actual decision you need to make, get detailed about this. What is the actual “I need to do this” action needed?
Why are you needing to make this decision? Is it really a MUST do or a NICE to have. What is the motivation?
With this decision, are there other options available to you?
With any decision comes a consequence or reaction to your action. What could those be?
Is the decision worth those risks / rewards?
What scares you about this scenario? What achievable actions can be taken to move past this emotion?
Can you speak to someone else about it, that is not emotionally invested?
At this stage, you should have a good handle of the situation and now it’s about the final decision.
Choose a firm date to make your decision and stick to taking that action.
Once this has happened, no matter the outcome, it’s important to let go…
The decision has been made, you have spent the time understanding motives, consequences, now you need to let the world around you do its thing. The rest is out of your control for the moment.
Big things are coming to you!
Think BIG to be BIG!
Someone else said about this
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you know you have a looming big decision you haven't yet done anything about... Whatever it may be, it's about time you pay it more attention.
Make 2022 your launching pad for the new you that starts with making that big decision.
Go and follow those steps as a starting point. I am sure it'll help you see clearer into what needs to be done. And if you still need help, I'm here, ready to serve. Let's chat.
Love it, discuss it, share it #thatsbs