The right decision for you

Rod Bannister Photo/File

Sometimes, we face tough decisions involving one or more unknowns. We can't know in advance, what the consequences of each alternative will be. This is especially true of big decisions, like quitting a job, entering or exiting a relationship, or moving to a new city.

When faced with such a decision, what do you do? If you can't figure out the consequences, can you do any better than guess? Usually, what people do in such situations, is freeze. Even when you don't like what you have, you may worry that the alternatives could be worse. In a way, every decision involves a choice between the status quo and change. When we can't be certain a change will work out for the better, we tend to stay put. Better the devil you know than the one you don't!

Let me give you a very simple method of making these kinds of decisions. In most cases, it takes no more than 60 seconds to evaluate any particular path.

For each alternative you're considering, ask yourself "Is this really me?" What you're asking, is whether each path is a fair reflection of who you truly are. To what degree does each option reflect the real you?

Decisions are acts of self-expression

When we look at choices, as being creative statements of self expression, rather than just paths, certain decisions become much easier to make. You may say to yourself, "This path isn't going to be easy, but I know it is the right way to go, because it's who I am." Or you may conclude, "No matter how I try to represent this to myself, I know that deep down this isn't who I am."

It's very important to separate this evaluation step, from the act of summoning the courage to act on this knowledge. It's OK to acknowledge you're in a place you don't want to be, even when you lack the ability to do anything about it right now. The courage to act comes later.

Here are some ways you can apply this method:

Is this job really me?

Is being an employee (or entrepreneur, or investor, or business owner) really me?

Is this relationship really me?

Is this city really me?

Is this house really me?

Is this friend really me?

Is this hobby really me?

Is this habit really me?

Is this spiritual or religious belief really me?

Is this level of health & wellness really me?