How do you make decisions? Do you often find yourself struggling between multiple options? What if there was an easier way? David believes he’s found the key to decision-making—and it isn’t what you’d think. To learn how David T.S. Wood makes decisions—large and small—listen to this episode of My Extra Mile!

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

 

• David’s simple + mind-boggling decision-making process
• How to challenge your comfort zone (don’t listen to your brain)
• Why using logic leaves you stuck in a rut

David’s simple + mind-boggling decision-making process

 

One of David’s friends recently sent him two different logos he was deciding between. Both were in alignment with his brand. So, David shared his decision-making strategy: flipping a coin.

 

David carries a Burts Bees lip balm canister in his pocket that he uses as his coin. He carries it as a reminder that we never know what the outcome of a decision should be. A decision is often making a split-second choice on something that will happen in the future that we don’t understand.

 

When David does one-on-one coaching, he tells someone to flip a coin—and then immediately evaluate how you feel. Often, subconsciously, you already know which direction you want to go. Once you flip it, he says to ask yourself: What is viscerally happening in my body?

 

It eliminates the waste of time of attempting to choose the right thing for a future that you can’t possibly see. David’s response to the coin clip immediately tells him that he’s leaning towards one decision or the other. It removes all the noise that is getting in the way of pulling the trigger.

 

Using the experience, you’ve had in the past doesn’t always equate to making a great choice for the future. You might be making a fear-based decision. Are you afraid you’re going to lose something or that it’s too big of a risk? You can talk yourself out of the most amazing adventures if you let logic get in the way.

Challenge your comfort zone (don’t listen to your brain)

 

David emphasizes that the brain does everything it can to keep us in our comfort zone. Every time we step out of our comfort zone the brain floods the body with chemicals. We interpret those chemicals as fear, apprehension, doubt, and uncertainty. Our brain is attacking us chemically to push us back into the proverbial box. Why? Because the brain’s job is to keep us safe. Its why decisions are so hard to make. It’s why you must get in the habit of challenging your comfort zone. How do you do that? David shares a few stories that drive his point home.

David sold his home on a coin flip

 

David knew something was missing from his life and he felt stuck. He was contemplating moving, so he flipped a coin to help him make the decision. It flipped in favor of him moving, so he went out to look for a house. He ended up stumbling upon the beautiful home he lives in now.

 

The house he was living in. It sold in 4 days. He had thrown a sign up in his yard. One day he looked out his window to see a woman standing in his garden. She apologized and said she had seen that it was for sale. She told David about her family and he told her to go get them and come have a picnic on the land to see how they felt.

 

So they showed up and had a picnic. They did it a couple of times. In the end, they asked to buy the land. It all started with the simple flip of a coin. Everything fell into place because David was willing to take a chance and step outside of his comfort zone.

Life is too short—so take a chance

 

Are you at a crossroads? Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck? Are you in a job you hate? People are so worried about trying to get everything right that they remain stuck firmly in place. You are often using logic to keep yourself stuck. You can’t live life too afraid to make the wrong choice. Life is too short for that.

 

Instead, remind yourself that there’s always another adventure around the horizon. Deciding to move and have a whole new adventure can lead to a remarkable journey. David could give hundreds of examples of choices he’s made with a coin-flip (but in this episode he only shares a few). He implores you to have the courage to flip the coin, follow through on the flip, and remain open to the possibilities that follow.

Connect with David T. S. Wood

 

• Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood
• Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood
• Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1