Decisions and A Strip of Litmus Paper

DECISIONS - I often get a little tense when that word crops up. I relate it to past experiences in life that it perhaps didn't go in the manner I had envisioned. I think and experience more and I realize how when it is all said and done - hindsight is indeed 20/20

But the basis of decisions in life are often like A LITMUS TEST. Weren't they fun back in li school chemistry when we could just classify anything under 14 bars and 3 main categories. Ah the simplicity!

The Litmus Test - As scientists we use the litmus test to determine if something is an acid or base. A fairly quick glance to qualify chemicals across a pH spectrum. While that intent remains true the litmus test is also known " as the single factor that establishes the true character of something or causes it to be assigned to one category or another. ".

So how can apply quick decision making to navigate the way forward in the climate of compounds that seem to chemically alter daily in your life space.

1. Intuition test - Pay attention to intuition. Don't override the feeling of dread or expansiveness of ease. It is a pretty important test because there is intelligence within your physical self that bypasses your mind, your logic, and your ego. Sometimes you just have to listen.

2. Play the Scenario Game : Ultimate Worse Case Test. It seems like a good idea or , but what is the worse that could go wrong in any single decision you can take. What is the very worst thing that could happen if this decision turned out to be all wrong? Thais not good enough though, the real question is how might you specifically deal with it ? Write it down! Identify the impact on you emotionally, physically and financially? Evaluate the ultimate best case too.

eg. If the worse case is embarrassment and humiliation (no pants syndrome - I hate that dream). Maybe its not THAT bad Heck there is always nice breeze. What if the worse case was ..say losing your job or your company?

Seriously : Make notes (head or written down) for the worse case do. Deal with that low likelihood event in advance. This is good risk management!

• Deal with your What might be the exact steps to get back on your feet?
• What is the risk of the worse case (physical, emotional, financial) ?
• Is this a risk you are willing to take?

3. Keep playing the Scenario Game : Best Case Test the BCS: best case scenario.

Now lets look at the side of the the rainbow.

• What are the benefits from saying YES?
• Will you finally start living that dream you’ve been talking to yourself about forever?
• Will you perhaps learn more about yourself and something you truly enjoy - grow as a human being? If its not about you, there is no point?
• Financial or Creative upsides?

For (2) and (3) I want you to write it down. Clear, detailed, specific, concrete. Clarity.

These are pretty useful I personally find to making decisions a little faster .

4. Thin Slicing - probably this article does a lot better than I. Or a Malcolm Gladwell book

"Thin-slicing" refers to the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behaviour based on very narrow slices of experience. It is part of what makes the unconscious so dazzling. But it's also what we find most problematic about rapid cognition. How is it possible to gather the necessary information for a sophisticated judgment in such a short time?"

Remember your experiences count.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/07/first-impressions-snap-decisions-impulse

5. Work It - if decisions are oscillating in your head, Clarity sometimes comes from engagement, not just thought. For the big tough decisions when your head and paper is not enough then experience it. (Empirical data). viz. take a class, a course. a holiday in a country you might want to emigrate to, rent a flat in an area you consider buying.. or engage trusted perspectives. You see, the beauty of the work it test is that you can try something out before you go all in.

Whatever decision that you wind up with, know this. Despite our fears, most decisions, they’re not permanent. Most things you can stop or evolve or reverse.

Do you have a decision that are not coming unstuck lately?

""Stay on your game and keep going for your dreams because the world needs that special gift that only you have.." Marie Forleo

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