Decision-Making Made Easier
Decision-making and taking action are two completely different things. Making a decision doesn’t mean a call to action. In other words, you can form an opinion, make up your mind, and leave it at that. You don’t have to do anything about it. If you do, the time frame is completely under your control. Read this paragraph again. It sounds simple. But for some reason we think if we make up our mind, we immediately have to act. We don’t. These are two separate steps. Isn’t that a relief?
Now that the difference is clear, we can relax. We can get clear on where we stand, yet continue living with whatever it is just the way it is: a dead-end job, a ‘not the one’ relationship, not liking where you live, etc. Doing something about it is another step. Let’s take deciding your job is taking you nowhere. You’ve analyzed and made your decision: it won’t offer the possibilities you thought. But when you start looking elsewhere and when you decide to leave is something else entirely. So don’t pressure yourself.
Why wait?
Allow yourself to take your time, it’s called integrating: getting used to how you feel about your decision. You try on that new reality, see if it feels comfortable, how it looks on you. Maybe you make some alterations or try on some new decision altogether. It was, at a time, called ‘toying with the idea’.
I know this sounds counterintuitive. Isn’t this procrastination, fear, or indecisiveness? And the ever classic: what’ll people think? But here’s the thing. We’re so conditioned to decide and act, in succession, that we avoid taking a good honest look at ourselves, our lives, because if we see something we don’t like we feel compelled to do something about it. So we just avoid the whole thing. ‘If I don’t see it, I won’t have to do anything about it.’
Decide to be prepared
Then, we don’t know how we feel or where we stand because we have our blinders on tight. Again, because we think we have to do something about it. Then, when we can’t take it anymore, we react. A reaction is acting in relation to a person or a situation. It isn’t an action based on your decision because you haven’t formed a mindset, much less chosen the time or place. Do you see the power shift here? You’re not acting on your decision, you don’t know where you stand. Now, you’re caught out, not really sure how you feel or what to do. It can take on huge proportions and happen in the wrong place. It can be damaging. You don’t need that.
If you worry about being judged as someone who can’t walk the talk, here’s the secret: don’t tell anyone. Just make up your mind and keep it to yourself. Until you act, it’s all a concept anyway. And you may change your mind.
Taking Your Time Makes You Stronger
Don’t prevent yourself analyzing and thinking about situations that bother you. Because the more you know what’s working and what’s not, the clearer your mindset will be. You will be strong and efficient when you’re ready to make your move.
You can decide your marriage is over (heavy example, I know). It doesn’t mean you need to do anything about it. Nothing, not a thing: sit with your decision and get used to it. Possible mourning or devising a strategy. Perhaps hoping (I wanted to write wallowing in hope, but hey, hope is good) wallowing in self-pity (that works, and a little wallowing never hurt).
Finally, remember that not doing anything is a course of action. Sometimes it’s the hardest one. It takes strength and patience. You don’t have to act. Ever. Either way, start by taking a good look around you, at whoever or whatever is there, including yourself.
Image: Jez Timms on Unsplash