6 Steps To Making Up Your Mind (when you just don’t know what to do!)

It was an annual event although they said this would probably be the very last time. I really wanted to go and yet it was very costly. I’d have to cover the cost of the flight, the event itself, the hotel and that’s not including the jet-lag,  catching up, missing many work hours – possible other engagements….

But I really wanted to go.

I spent weeks trying to decide.

And found myself wrapped up in layers and layers of indecision.

And with the panic of indecision I felt hopeless and useless.

It was horrible.

I’d love to tell you that I have it all figured out now. That’s not quite true. But I can tell you that I did figure it out then and what I learned really helped for the next times that I was faced with a big decision.

Here are the steps I took:

1. Write a list of benefits & gains that I would likely get from attending the event.
2. On the same page, what are the risks (those things that would prevent the gains and benefits from happening)?
3. What are the actual numbers – costs & potential earnings
4. What do you know for sure, what can you not know – list them out.
5. What do you have to lose/gain?
6. What does your intuition tell you?

So this last step can be difficult. When you’re super-busy and super-stressed about making a decision, it’s hard to hear your intuition.

This is where I recommend a walk – preferably a beach – alone (or if you want company, take a dog!) and notice the voice that emerges.

Usually by the end of all this, the decision becomes clear.

That’s been true for me in the past.

I’m hoping it will be today too!

What tips or steps can you add to the list?

Share them here!