As moms and mompreneurs, we are faced with constant decision making. I’ve questioned myself many times on how to make the best decisions especially when I have to decide quickly.
I much prefer to be able to mull things over, contemplate during a yoga class or a long walk, think about the various scenarios, etc…but most of the time we don’t have that luxury. These days we need to act at the speed of technology. People want answers fast, and I must admit that I do work at a fast pace, but it’s been responsible for some haphazard decisions.
So, I’m trying to figure out the best way to decide on plans of action without taking too much time but while still being able to have great and productive outcomes for the long term. I’ve read many books on decision-making psychology and sometimes it makes me overanalyze. But I’m starting to realize that it all comes down to gut instinct for me.
I like Suzy Welch’s book 10-10-10 which poses the question about how a decision will affect your life in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years from now, and then basing your decision on that “big picture.” I also read an article somewhere recently about how we are forced to make decisions from our head rather than our heart when they need to be made quickly because our heart doesn’t work as fast – true emotion takes some time to process.
This is where intuition and gut instinct come into play. I have always felt a strong sense of intuition. You know how they say moms have it! I had it early in life, though, and it was only through getting older and yoga practice that I learned to tune in and listen to my gut. It has served me well 99% of the time! If you’re not sure whether you have gut instinct, think back to events in your life where you knew you felt “sick” about something but still did it and it turned out to be a bad decision.
Sometimes you need to allow yourself the luxury of thinking about all the scenarios from your logical mind, your emotional heart and your gut feeling and go with the one that has served you best over the years. Also, try Suzy Welch’s 10-10-10 and even though your decision may be painful in the next ten minutes, your situation will be so much better in 10 months and 10 years down the road…that delayed gratification is nice.
How do you usually decide things? Head, heart or gut?? Tweet me: @SandyAbrams
