Make Good Decisions - Part 2

What Would Your Life Be Like…
…if you had no debt; if you possessed vibrant health; if you did what you wanted to do; if your relationships were amazing; if you were focused and driven; if you celebrated life everyday; if you made meaningful contribution; if you had authentic happiness; if you lived your life like you only get one?

Last week we opened a new topic: choices and decision making. So here’s a question I’d like you to ponder: as adults, for the most part, are we able to make our own choices? In other words, with a few exceptions, don’t we have the freedom to decide where we will live, who we will spend our lives with, what kind of work we will do, what we will eat, and so on? If true, it is easy to conclude that most of us should be happy, content, wealthy, fulfilled, etc. However, based on the data that over 70% of us are in debt, two-thirds of us are overweight, and less than half of us are satisfied with our jobs, there seems to be trouble in paradise.

I think it is safe to say that not many people enjoy experiencing problems or discomfort in their lives. Sure, sometimes bad things happen to good people, but for now let’s set those random occurrences aside. The bottom line is simple: making fantastic decisions that seriously impact our lives isn’t as easy as it might look. Some decisions are mostly insignificant, like when we are asked, “Would you like paper or plastic?” Others are critical and could even be life-threatening; for example, “Hey Mike, how about one more for the road, eh?” Are we just plain foolish sometimes? No doubt. Do we not think things through very well? On occasion. Don’t we learn from the experiences of others? Not always.

I’m convinced that making good decisions is a skill; and like most other skills, practice (and practice and practice) makes perfect. Maybe you’ve never thought of it like that. So now you have something new to think about. And while you’re thinking, here are a couple of guidelines that might come in handy when you are eye-balling one of those really big decisions:

· What would my family & friends (those who care about me) say about this choice?

· What is my “skeptic factor?”

· What does my “gut” tell me?

· Do I really understand the long-term consequences of the decision I am about to make?

· Would I want my own children to make this choice?

· Will this decision affect anyone else – family, friends, or other associates – in a negative or painful way?

· Will this choice require me to lie to myself or to someone else?

· Am I being influenced to make this choice by people or events that aren’t very important to me?

· And of course, will I have to BORROW MONEY to do this?

Over the last fifteen to twenty years, our society and culture has transitioned towards a fast paced, quick-fix, high stress, “gotta-have-it-now” one. Certainly that hasn’t helped us make better choices. Good decisions take time; there is nothing wrong with THINKING something through. And poor decisions result in what? They result in damaged relationships and broken hearts, financial loss, health issues, problems at work, and difficulties in life. Most (if not all) of these are unnecessary, and cause our lives to be strenuous, complicated and even miserable.

Every day, we are granted opportunities to make choices. We have the power to seek out truth, to make good, healthy decisions, that lead to happy, fulfilling and meaningful lives. Consider this: the crowd isn’t always right, status quo usually is not the best way, and uniqueness can be very cool. Choose to be different – make a great decision right now – set your mind to do whatever is necessary to make the best possible choices and decisions possible, in every area of your life. That’s an awesome cause. And the effect will be superb as well.

If you’d like to ask a question, I’d love to hear from you; email me: drh@justimagineseminars.com. Until next time, I’m Dr. H. K. Holevinsky for www.justimagineseminars.com.