Have you ever had trouble making a decision?
Everyone has. There are usually so many factors to a tough decision you don’t even know where to begin.
So instead of beginning, you procrastinate.
I’ve created a simple exercise that has helped my coaching clients as well as myself make a tough decision a little easier.
1. Make a List of Positives and Negatives
Make a two column list of positives and negatives of your top choice. This will help you begin the process of connecting with your emotions.
Think about what would be beneficial or detrimental if you made a certain choice.
Ex. Should I buy and create a new website? (LoveYourCareerForever.com)
| Positives 1. It rings true to me 2. I would like to connect with people who have trouble with their careers. 3. I love writing. 4. It would be a great hobby and maybe a new career. | Negative 1. A lot of work. 2. I’m not sure if I have enough time. 3. I need help creating the website. |
I could feel right away as I made this list that the positives would outweigh the negatives.
2. Visualize on Your Choice
Sit down in a quiet room, set a timer for just 10 minutes, close your eyes and visualize yourself working toward your goal.
Too often people visualize themselves successful and happy when they’ve reached their goal, but don’t take the time to think about how they feel as they doing the small tasks to reach their goal.
A lot of people do the first step, but don’t take the time to listen to how they feel if they would take action on this goal. By running through the choices in your head you can really feel what the best decision is. By tapping into your subconscious you will make the best decision.
3. Take a 15 Minute Action
A lot of people falter on making a tough choice by not taking little baby steps toward their goal. If you know what choice you need to make then it’s time to take action on it.
It can be as simple as setting up an appointment for you to follow through with. Once you got your mind heading in the right direction you need to get your body on board. It’s taking a small action that will keep you moving forward and taking action on your decision.
If you would take action on the above example it’s spending $9 on the domain name and seeing how it makes you feel. If after you purchase the name you are excited then you know that you made the right choice.
Big Picture
The only thing holding you back from taking decisive action is you. You can’t let any external excuse hold you back from moving forward.
Your Turn
Do you have a system in place to help you take action when you are procrastinating?
I very much appreciate this excellent information. Two great things that stood out...focusing on the feeling of the journey, not necessarily the result; and focusing on the small baby steps. Thank you for reminding us that the steps and the journey are just as important as the ultimate victory : )
Hi Joe, I was just listening to an interview on NPR this morning. An actor, I forget his name, talked about the excitement of doing the work and not worrying about the results because in the end there is always something to not quite like about the results we get. Thanks for your comment!
Take a 15 minute action - now there's some brilliant advice!
I read everywhere that taking action is the key to moving forward, which it is, but when people are scared of moving out of their comfort zone then 'just doing it' is harder than most people think.
A 15 minute action delivers results enough to make you feel whether you're moving in the right direction or not. It's the equivilant of a motivational 'baby step!'
Wonderful piece of advice!
BJ
Hi BJ, The key is to make the action so easy to do that you can't help but get started. Then once you are moving forward it's easier to keep the momentum going. I like how you put it, "...a motivational 'baby step!"
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Such a great, great post! Making a list of the negative and positive is a good way to start being conscious of who you really are. Learn a lot from this. Thanks!