Deciding what my first thoughts on here were going to be was somewhat crippling, so what did I do? I got inspired and let my intuition lead the way.
Better decision-making empowers us to be fully present, aware of our choices, and consider the impact on ourselves and others. It can also improve our self-confidence tenfold. Making solid decisions is about approaching our choices consciously and with intention, giving us the control to respond rather than react, potentially inviting a negative outcome into the situation when we intended otherwise.
(Ask me how I know this. Fine, I’ll share it.)
I may or may not still be kicking myself in the rear end over some pretty terrible decisions I’ve made. In the same breath, I’m not ashamed of them because they’re all learning lessons, landed me in some of the most beautiful places, and upgraded my life. Still, they were not in my best interest, and I’d have to make different choices today.
Each decision you make is an opportunity to improve and strengthen, like working a muscle. If you don't work out. stick with me anyway. It’s a constant practice and test. And because nothing is perfect (that’s right, nothing is ever perfect; the sooner you get this, the better), you will sometimes fail the test. But remember, making poor decisions is a normal part of life, and you're not alone in this journey. There's like, 8 billion of us.
So, how do we make better, more mindful decisions?
1 - Understand Your Core Values. The first crucial step in making better decisions is to understand and identify your own core values. This is not about the values you were taught or the ones you've adopted from others, but the values that are uniquely yours. Welcome to the beautiful world of self-awareness, a transformative tool that can empower you to make decisions that align with who you are, potentially leading to a more fulfilling and happier life. It's a journey of self-discovery that can fill you with hope and empowerment.
2 - Envision the Outcome. Essentially, what is the endgame? Suppose the decision you are about to make does not align with the goal you have in mind or the values you’ve identified. In that case, it’s time to pause, reflect, and rethink your steps before blindly taking them. For example, if I drive somewhere and want to get there safely, it’s probably in my best interest to not speed or drive recklessly, right? Or when someone important to you sends an entirely erratic text message (you know, the kind that has you standing in the same place for 30 minutes crafting the perfect response…) where emotions are clearly heightened, responding quickly without thinking things through can further escalate the situation. If you don’t want that, it’s better to clear your response, say, “I’m going to have to get back to you at another time,” put the phone down, and walk away. By the way, that’s a total boss move. *Chef’s kiss*
3 - Trust Your Gut and Try to Not Overthink. Overthinking can lead to indecision, which eventually is a decision. Also, try to refrain from asking others for their advice. The people whose opinions you are requesting often give advice only from their perspectives based on the individual situations they’ve lived through. Others don’t have to live with the impact of the decision that you are making; you only have to live with it. Learn to trust your gut. Learn to trust yourself. Remember, making poor decisions is a normal part of life, and you're not alone in this journey. There's like, 8 billion of us. So, trust yourself and know that it's okay to faceplant sometimes.
4- Accept that you might make a poor decision! Since this is a possibility, I suggest always having a backup plan. Fail fast, fail forward.
Written by Angela: Elder Millennial and Former Failure Extraordinaire.
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