Decisions Made Easy

Have you ever noticed how forward momentum completely stops when you can't make a decision? There's no doubt; that the ability to make a decision is a power skill worth developing. I learned mine from my Mom.

I grew up in the small town of Manassas, Virginia and I couldn't wait to graduate and begin my life adventure. My focus was on becoming a top-rated morning radio host, making lots of money in a big market. But I had a problem...

The day came for me to decide how to begin my career. I narrowed my school choice and had to commit to enrolling - and commitments can be scary. As excited as I was to begin, I was also confused. That's when my Mom stepped in with a solution.

Mom was a Legal Secretary and pulled out a yellow legal pad she kept handy. She drew a line down the middle of the page from top to bottom.

Oh, no. We're not going to do the old Pro and Con thing again? That never works!

Have you ever tried to make a decision using a list of positives and negatives? It only causes more confusion. But that wasn't going to happen this time because Mom had something else in mind. She drew another horizontal line, from left to right, across the middle of the page. Then she said,

"This is different. It's about what is going to happen when you make your decision. Try it."

With that, I made a list of everything that WOULD happen if I DID commit and get myself moving in the top left of the page.

On the top right, I made a list of what WOULD happen if I DIDN'T do anything.

Then, things got interesting…

On the bottom left of the page, I listed what WOULDN'T happen if I DID.

I filled the bottom right with what WOULDN'T happen if I DIDN'T.

Clarity emerged, the fear disappeared, and excitement took over. 

If you find yourself needing to make a decision, you can sort out anything, break free, and build fast and massive momentum with those four questions.

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