I am quickly learning this, having attempted to shop at Tesco’s very early on a Friday morning. (Yes, this was for the beloved attendees of my birthday party; they were duly informed of my deed.) I was overwhelmed with the variety of fruit juice: branded or non-branded, from concentrate or not, organic or plagued with additives, pretty pictures or bland colours, adult or child-friendly, three for the price of two or two for the price of one. Bleary-eyed at 6.30am, I found myself in ‘stress-city’.
Too much choice is a bad thing.
As a child, there is often a routine enforced, providing security and knowledge of what happens and when. The world is an exciting and potentially adventurous place which can take place within the safety net of the sure knowledge of what is yet to come. As an adult, this mirage is an open book. There are not necessarily any fixed ‘rules’. The ‘rules’ can be adopted, from society at leisure. Life is a plethora of colours, a gourmet of ideas to be conjured and assimilated at will.
So, how do you make decisions? (Please do comment.) Do you trust your instinct? Or, do you weigh up the situation, carefully balancing your rational thoughts with your emotions? Sometimes, decisions need to be made pretty quickly but often, big (possibly life-changing ones) require time and thought. There are always consequences for one’s actions, which often involve and affect other people.
I have learnt again and again that there are also two other factors involved in making decisions: letting go and taking risks. The former implies a loss of control (which is healthy as no-one can ever be fully in control of their life) and the latter, develops a world beyond the confines of one’s own spectacles (Harry Potter or not). Surely there is nothing to be lost in taking a leap of faith? So, why don’t we do it more often?
Personally, I think that there is a huge fear of failure surrounding society. “What happens if I fail in pursuing my dream?” Nothing outrageous will or does happen. The only sadness is in not having tried to reach out, stretch and leap. Thus, the only failure is in not having taken the risk at all.
And I think that that is how one makes a decision as taking ‘risks’ is what makes an individual really grow.
I always used to spend more time decided what to order on a menu than whether to go live in Beijing or Riyadh. I have since changed my strategy, and now I only order off of menus. Still takes just as long, mind.
I used to use fear as a decision making criteria: find what scares you the most, and do that. This strategy, though, it seems is for the young.
Taking risks is a tricky thing. Doesn't it depend on what you might lose? Losing a relationship is one thing, losing the shirt off your back is another. Nowadays I see every decision as an exercise in risk management and opportunity cost. It's not about what you choose to have or do, it's what you choose to not have or do. With every decision made, at least one door slam shut. You had better be bloody certain that you don't want what's behind that door.
Thinking about it, maybe decision making for me is regret management.
I always used to spend more time decided what to order on a menu than whether to go live in Beijing or Riyadh. I have since changed my strategy, and now I only order off of menus. Still takes just as long, mind.
I used to use fear as a decision making criteria: find what scares you the most, and do that. This strategy, though, it seems is for the young.
Taking risks is a tricky thing. Doesn't it depend on what you might lose? Losing a relationship is one thing, losing the shirt off your back is another. Nowadays I see every decision as an exercise in risk management and opportunity cost. It's not about what you choose to have or do, it's what you choose to not have or do. With every decision made, at least one door slam shut. You had better be bloody certain that you don't want what's behind that door.
Thinking about it, maybe decision making for me is regret management.
Decisions are one of our biggest challenges in this life because we have to do so many of them every day. I've come to appreciate the fact that every decision I make seems to affect others in one way or another (or in many ways). However, I find myself struggling more with decisions now as I'm getting older than when I was younger, partly because of the fact that they seem to involve more people now than they used to. The good thing is that decisions also can be very exciting they involve an opportunity to change my perspective on life and all that goes along with it. It is an opportunity to reevaluate my priorities and attempt to change my focus so that maybe I can move down a better path than I might have chosen in ages past.
Thanks for the thoughtful insights Rids...God Bless!
Decisions are one of our biggest challenges in this life because we have to do so many of them every day. I've come to appreciate the fact that every decision I make seems to affect others in one way or another (or in many ways). However, I find myself struggling more with decisions now as I'm getting older than when I was younger, partly because of the fact that they seem to involve more people now than they used to. The good thing is that decisions also can be very exciting they involve an opportunity to change my perspective on life and all that goes along with it. It is an opportunity to reevaluate my priorities and attempt to change my focus so that maybe I can move down a better path than I might have chosen in ages past.
Thanks for the thoughtful insights Rids...God Bless!
Well not wanting to be too corporate about this, I would say that each decision made should be made vs. whatever your game plan is or should be. Then in many ways you already have free entry into justifying-a-risk party!
I think that it is often possible to avoid making a final decision and keep options open until you are more certain on which option(s) is best. Trying both things out at the same time in some small way allows this. Downside is that this may well irritate people if they are waiting on you. Also trying an Indian and Chinese before eating either is a great way to add the pounds....had to get back to reality now?
Well not wanting to be too corporate about this, I would say that each decision made should be made vs. whatever your game plan is or should be. Then in many ways you already have free entry into justifying-a-risk party!
I think that it is often possible to avoid making a final decision and keep options open until you are more certain on which option(s) is best. Trying both things out at the same time in some small way allows this. Downside is that this may well irritate people if they are waiting on you. Also trying an Indian and Chinese before eating either is a great way to add the pounds....had to get back to reality now?
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