Three Principles for Confident Decision-making
Values, Desires and Impact.
Sometimes, for all kinds of reasons, decision-making is just hard. We notice though that often when a decision is challenging, we are experiencing a lack of clarity around what is really important to us and what we really want. At times, we may have a strong conflict of values and desires. Find out how carefully considering our core values and core desires, along with the impact we hope or expect to make can help us make decisions with confidence.
Some people put off making decisions occasionally. Others chronically procrastinate when it comes to decision-making. What is your standard operating procedure when making decisions? Do you find it difficult to be decisive when there seems to be equally valid yet conflicting needs or wants surrounding the options? Do you lean towards people-pleasing, giving little if any weight to your own needs? Perhaps there are blocks or fears impacting your process. Is a fear of a public failure holding you back from decisive action? Is a fear of rejection or getting a “No” restraining you from asking for something important?
At some point, (and definitely more than once!) I have experienced each of the above. Through coaching, therapy, practice (and more practice) as well as other learning and life experience I now face many of these challenges less frequently. Still, some blocks and fears continue to return in various guises and I find working with a skilled coach supports my awareness and speeds up the process of effective decision-making.
At times, certain decisions in life or business are especially challenging. This can happen for me when the stakes are particularly high. The goal is not to make all decisions easy, but to be confident in your process of decision-making.
While there are various tools that can aid the decision-making process (I share one in the article Four Powerful Questions to Help You Get Unstuck and Make Effective Decisions), this article steps you through three foundations for making decisions you can stand by.
Core Values
What are your personal values? What are your business values? Which values apply most to this situation?
Values are principles that you live by and inform what you do. In the case of business values, they are part of your business identity, your brand and how you serve or operate. Values may be part of your moral or ethical code. They may be ideas or beliefs that are important to you. To be in integrity you need to consider your decision in line with your values.
Not all decisions are business defining or moral dilemmas. However, to be at peace with your decision and its consequences - big and not so big - you will want your choice to be aligned with your values.
Core Desires
Ask yourself, What do I really want to do? If your time, energy and finances allowed it, which option would you choose right now? If your choice could not negatively impact others, which option would you pursue? If you could address or work through all the fears you feel around making this choice, what would you decide on? What would you take action on?
Of course your decisions do impact others. Your time, energy and finances are not infinite. Considering what you really want is only part of the decision-making process. If the choice or option is something that matters to you and is something you really want, you will have greater motivation to follow through on your choice.
If you notice you are blocked in making your decision by fears, reach out to a trusted mentor, coach or perhaps a therapist to help you identify and work through the blocks. Fear-based decisions will hold you back from achieving what you really want in life or in business.
Envision the Outcome
What is the result I would like to see from implementing this decision? How will I feel when I achieve this result? What is the likely outcome or ongoing impact of this decision?
Reflecting on the results you want to achieve and imagining how you will feel achieving them can help you see whether going in a certain direction is in line with your purpose and goals. If not, is deciding a certain way more in line with someone else’s agenda? Is it more of a “should”? If the likely outcome of this decision is something that you actually want, plan the best way to achieve it. Take action that makes effective use of your strengths, your energy and your time. Review your internal and external resources and get the help you need.
Considering the likely outcome or impact of your decision, beyond the immediate, supports better decisions overall - for you, for your business and for the greater community. Taking the time to honestly compare the likely outcome with your desired outcome can help you see resources gaps. You may decide to wait to implement a decision until you gather further resources or learn more skills.
We often face decisions that have the potential to greatly impact our business and life. Conflicting needs and wants, fears and doubts can all disrupt the decision-making process. A lack of clarity around our personal or business values means we can feel lost or get stuck when making important decisions. By getting clear on your core values, core desires, and expected outcomes - immediate and long term - and by examining your decision in line with these you can be confident in making your decision.
We cannot know the future, but to the extent that we can control our actions and influence others, we can set the foundations for the results we want.
How can working with a coach help?
Are you currently facing a tough business decision? Is it keeping you stuck? A mentor or coach can provide an objective sounding board. A certified life, leadership or business coach is trained and experienced in listening for your true values and vision - what you actually want. They will ask questions to help draw out your thoughts and help you see perspectives you may not have considered yet. They will not lead you to a decision that aligns with their values, vision or agenda. They know that you have everything you need to make this decision.
To see if we are a good fit to work together schedule a complimentary coaching session.
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