How To Make A Good Decision

Each day we wake to a new set of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of choices.  Since our time, energy, and resources are limited, we must make the best choices at each fork in the road.  This is the essence of pursuing excellence.  It's also a key to living in balance.  Choices impact our role as people helper, spouse, parent, and so on.  Choices impact our life areas such as our career, finances, physical health, spiritual health, and so on.

But how do I know I'm making the right decisions each time?

For example, if I'm on the floor at home playing with my two young children in the evening and I get a call on my work phone, how do I know if I should take the call?  The answer is partly based on your objectives; your masterplan.  Let me explain...

Choices Based On Objectives

Consider the evening call as an example.  But this time, instead of simply being on the floor playing with your children, you have determined what the kids really need is a relationship with you.  You understand a relationship with them now will help when they reach the turbulent teen years.  So instead of just killing time with the kids, you are intentionally developing this relationship with them via, say, a lego building exercise.  Now you get that call on your work phone.  A choice must still be made.  Do you pause your relationship-building time to take a work-related call?  Or do you let the call go to voicemail and check it after the kids go to bed?  The choice is still yours.  But a good choice will be made when it's based upon your objectives.

We make choices on a whim when there are no objectives or masterplan to guide us.  We are swayed by the winds of "I ought to do this" or "I ought to do that."  And many people end up imbalanced in their work and life.

Start designing your objectives; your masterplan.  It's the the key to Serving Strong!

Note:  Email me ([email protected]) for your free coaching session.  If you're serious about making the best decisions this new year, experience how life coaching can benefit you as you design your own personal masterplan.

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Comments

[Dawn Mular]

I loved this article, Scott!! Shared it with my twitter friends as just the type of relevant content agents of positive service need!

Dawn
http://twitter.com/dmular

[Scott Couchenour]

Thanks, Dawn. I'm reminded of the importance of keeping your eye on the ball. As I type this, I'm watching my favorite NFL team (Miami Dolphins) play the NY Jets for a playoff position for this year. In the 1st quarter, I watch a very capable receiver drop a throw which would have most likely resulted in a touchdown and they'd be up by 7. The commentators said he was an excellent receiver. He just took his eye off the ball.

Balance (and making the right decisions in the moment) come when we keep our eye on "the ball" - our objectives.

God bless!