Choices and Decision Making – The Right & Wrong Ones

Most of us struggle with decision making, especially when the decision could potentially have life altering results for ourselves and our families. Notice, I say results rather than consequences because it’s far less negative and a healthier way to view these situations. It feels like, "ROADBLOCK"! Can't move forward, can't move back, can't make a decision without fear of making the wrong one.

So often we choose one path over another for someone else’s Well-Being: for our children, for our spouse, for our friends. Other instances we may choose a certain path out of guilt, fear, or other’s expectations. The little everyday decisions tend to have minimal effect on our Well-Being, so it’s easier to just suck it up, go with the flow, and let it be. The BIG decisions seem to send us into complete disarray and our comfort level and ease comes to a screeching halt. Should I work part-time or full-time? Should I accept the job offering more money, or the one that enables me to be closer to home? What I am starting to see more and more throughout various social circles, is that roughly 65% of those who have chosen to follow their heart or passion have no regrets! Another 5-10% have also found additonal ways to bring in more income through other methods, while following their passion. That leaves roughly 25% that feel like they may have missed the boat entirely or lost out on an opportunity, because of making that one defining wrong choice.

I think the value of being put in a position where you need to make these difficult choices, far outweighs our temporary stress and expected losses. Every time these opportunities for change come about, it forces us to RE-EVALUATE our lives. Is this really what I envisioned as my happy, successful, fulfilling life? Start focusing more on how each decision effects your emotional well-being. If one path looks more promising on the surface, yet also gives you a knot in your gut and anxiety without solid explanation, trust your gut. If the alternate path, on the surface, looks as if it may present some challenges, yet just thinking about it also makes you feel like a child excited about his/her first new bicycle, trust your gut.

You might feel selfish. You might even feel like an outright spoiled little brat.

BUT … If one option makes you want to whine and whimper, “ but I don’t wanna’ ”, regardless of the potential good, it is ALWAYS the wrong choice at that moment in time. It’s all in how you feel when making the choices, not which one is right or wrong. If you feel excitement and passion when considering one over the other, then you have chosen well. Feeling good is ALWAYS the right choice. Your brain, heart, instincts (call it whatever you'd like), are trying desperately to get through to you. Anxiety and stress are typically reactions related to past experiences. If something doesn't quite feel right, or just not the right fit, avoid it.

Trust in your own “gut feelings” and intuition. These feelings are true to you and your well-being, because they are based on related past feelings and experiences. Yet another safety mechanism that are wondrous brains contain!