The Power of Mindful Decision Making

Do you ever find it hard to make decisions? Do you ever feel like there are too many decisions to make? Do you worry about making the 'right' decision? When it comes to decisions, sometimes we need to step back and accept that there isn't always a 'right' or 'wrong' decision to be made.

Decisions play an important role in shaping the direction of our journey and the life we live. Making decisions, whether big or small, can sometimes feel like a burdening, daunting task, especially when it feels like there are infinite options to consider. Both our personal and professional lives are filled with countless choices, from accepting job offers to speaking up in meetings, which we must decipher. The choices we accept and those we decline will guide the path we go down, ultimately reflecting the butterfly effect

The choices we make are shaped by a blend of conscious and subconscious factors, with external influences from our peers, family (whanau), social media, and societal expectations impacting our decisions. We are surrounded by many internal and external pressures which can sometimes make decision-making feel overwhelming.   

Decisions provide an opportunity to step forward and embrace risks. Despite this, it is also important to acknowledge that not every decision will create the outcomes that we had hoped for. However, rather than perceiving such instances as failures, we can consider them to provide us with the chance for improvement and growth. Setbacks can open up new opportunities while directing our path and guiding future choices. 

While decisions can feel intimidating considering the butterfly effect of our choices, we can ensure that we make decisions mindfully and with intent. Cultivating self-awareness and acting purposefully are elements that can aid us in unlocking our potential and creating a fulfilling career and life. Therefore, acting with intentionality is powerful and one of the few things we have direct control over. Our life is like our canvas, and each decision we make is a brushstroke that contributes to the beautiful journey we’re creating.

Coincidently, Tim Ferriss, an American entrepreneur, touched on decisions a few weeks back in a Facebook post. He gave some valuable advice in suggesting that we should “learn to make nonfatal or reversible decisions as quickly as possible.” While decisions fabricate our journey, sometimes the best decisions are the ones we make on a gut feeling or whim before allowing ourselves the chance to consider the limitless options or scenarios of that given choice. So, live, laugh, love and be intentional in the way you make your decisions (but not too intentional!).