The 'right' decisions are not necessarily the easiest...
Have you ever been faced with a situation that tears you up inside? Everything else in life becomes very small compared to this one situation, a situation which boils down to one question, one answer, one decision.
At times we can be faced with a question that doesn't seem to have a good answer. No matter what we decide to do, or which way we decide to go, we are faced with a plethora of "what-if" scenarios. We approach the situation with the same strategies that we have used our entire lives. Those same decision-making strategies that have never let us down before. Until now...
What if I decide to do this and that happens?
What if I decide to do that and this happens?
You become stuck in your own head dwelling on all of the what-ifs. It becomes a struggle to sleep, your eating habits deteriorate, you lose focus...The only thing that occupies your thoughts is this one decision that you must make. You remain stuck.
Let's talk about that - being stuck. The inability to decide and act on something may start as something small and inconsequential however it has the potential to grow beyond our wildest nightmares. When you are stuck in indecision it can eat away at your physical and mental health. We touched on how it can disrupt your sleep and eating habits - think about what happens when you don't get enough sleep. You know how it feels. The brain fog, moving in slow motion, making mistakes. It can lead to disastrous consequences. We have all heard stories of someone falling asleep while driving!
Have you ever been upset or stressed and either eaten too much junk food for skipped too many meals? Look at the words I used. Stressed. Upset. How does being stuck in indecision make you feel? Do you feel stressed, upset, or anxious? What are your go to eating habits around any of those emotions? I know mine - not wonderful! I do not have to tell you the dangers of eating too much junk food or the opposite; not eating at all. You know what it does.
The size and impact of the decision you need to make is not always directly proportionate to how you feel about it. How do you feel when faced with a decision? Pay attention to your habits, your emotional habits. If you feel like your life, your mind, your health has been taken over by the inability to decide it’s time to make a change! It is time to look at the strategies you have relied on to make decisions over the years and revise them to fit who you are now.
What now?
Use your gut! Your built-in decision maker. Allow that what you decide may not be THE best answer. Allow that THE best answer may not be at your disposal. Use the information you have in the moment and FEEL for the answer. That's it!
Here is the process I use.
1. Get it out of your head. Make a list!
Just write it down. Everything that is in your head, WRITE IT DOWN. If writing isn't your forte then draw it or make a voice recording.
2. Take a break!
DO something. Actively do something that takes you away from the need to make the decision.
3. Sleep!
4. Recognize how your feel.
5. What is the answer to your question? What is your decision?
That is your intuition speaking - your gut.
You know which decision you need make. The answer to your question. What you decide may not make you happy and it may not be easy. You know what the best decision, the best answer, is for you RIGHT NOW.
Decide.
Breathe.
You've got this!
Let's talk soon. Until then,
Take care of you!
Deanna
p.s. As a result of working with me individuals, teams, and organizations leverage their strengths, hone their skills and optimize their performance by conquering their limiting beliefs, increasing self-confidence and determination. They learn strategies that target vision, authenticity and resiliency, to create actionable realistic next steps toward whatever success is for them. Do you know anyone that benefit from this? Let’s chat. https://www.deannariedke.com/contact
COACHING QUICK LINKS
COACH'S CORNER BLOG
All Blog Titles
The Importance of Letting Go
Control, The System and Choice
Laying The Foundation of Self Care
All Rights Reserved | Deanna Riedke