Thought of the week

It is unfortunate, that so many of us have so little trust in our ability to make the decision that is best for us. Making a big decision is a validation of our free will and the fact that we have a say in our own destiny. When you actually think about it, we make decisions every day, all day long. Many decision or choices are so small and routine that we don't even give them a second thought. However, when it comes to a bigger or more substantial decision, the stakes are a little higher, and we may not proceed with the same assurance, which is why it is important to learn how to be a confident decision-maker.

Truthfully, a good decision is based on a good evaluation of the decision at hand. It should not be taken lightly or quickly, but rather thought about and considered methodically and seriously. One very helpful and practical decision-making practice I often use is a pros and cons list. Interestingly, even Benjamin Franklin used this approach, which makes me feel even better about it, considering the decisions he had to make as one of the founding fathers of the United States. For his method, he divided a piece of paper down the middle and wrote the pros on one side and the cons on the other. He took his time developing his list as thoughts came to him, often over several days. When he felt confident that he had covered the points, he would weigh the options against one another in order to make his decision. Mr. Franklin said that he "found great advantage from this kind of equation." Now I think that is a excellant recommendation and certainly makes the process worth the try.

However, I want to end my letter this week by bringing back the point of our feelings and intuition. I strongly advise my clients to listen to and be in touch with their feelings and intuition when it comes to making a decision, even if they are using a pro and con list. We have all experienced moments when we just have a feeling about something, someone, or a situation and often those feelings turn out being spot on. Don't be afraid of listening to that inner voice. It is speaking to you for a reason, and it is very often correct.

Certainly no one is able to make the perfect decision all of the time, but considering your options thoroughly and listening to your “gut” can help you make better choices. I hope you will give this a try.