Day: October 19, 2021

On a scale of 1 to 10, with one being very uncomfortable and ten being extremely confident, where do you find yourself when it comes to making decisions? Your answer may vary based on the gravity of the decision, your life experiences, or the impact your decision may have on yourself or others.

Which career path is the right one for me? Do I have what it takes for a leadership role? What is best for my team and me? Who is worth my time, energy, support, and mentorship? Who is the right person for this role? Who and what is getting in my way from executing my vision and that of the organization? These are questions that leaders ask themselves regularly. I have been there, and I know from experience how hard particular career and life choices can be.

Decisions are complicated. We make hundreds of them daily without even giving it a thought. From clothes, food, company we surround ourselves with, activities to decompress, the list goes on and on. Yet, there are decisions that we do not make easily, especially if we have experienced loss, disappointment, or regret after choosing one path over another, and fear interferes with our decision-making. 

There is ample research related to decision-making and what can get in our way of making decisions. We have inert cognitive biases that keep us from leaving our comfort zone. We choose “the devil we know” rather than exploring the new. Just imagine how much richness, juiciness, and adventure we are missing out on just by “playing it safe.”  

As a professional coach who frequently works with clients who are uncertain about their decisions and would much rather have someone advise them on which way is best for them, I understand their uncertainties, especially when the stakes are high. Should I leave my job and accept the offer I received? Is the grass greener in another company? Is it worth uprooting my family and relocating to another area? Am I too old to pursue another career path? These are common big decisions that may come up. 

Many of us are familiar with creating a pros and cons list when making big decisions. However, that list only scratches the surface and does not address the underlying emotions associated with making a big decision. There are endless tools that I can offer to support and coach you to the point of embracing your decisions. 

One tool I like to use is called “The Pain/Gain Model of Action” (provided through iPEC). In this model, we are not simply looking at the pros and cons of deciding, but we are exploring your beliefs of how you are benefiting from your current situation. We will then look at what is holding you back from changing your situation. We are tapping into your emotions and your internal blocks. What limiting beliefs, interpretations, or assumptions do you hold on to that are keeping you from making that decision? Is your inner voice challenging you and telling you that you are not good enough?  

If any of this resonates with you, you might benefit from one-on-one coaching with me. I’ll help you remember that you have all the knowledge, wisdom, and resources you need to make the right decisions for yourself and for those whose lives you are impacting. It may not be as simple as choosing vanilla ice cream over chocolate, but you will have all of the tools you need to overcome the decision-making dilemma.