2 1/2 ways to make a tough choice easier

10/04

Every once in  awhile a situation shows up where what to do is just not at all clear
It happens
But what to do?
You are the one expected to make those decisions. That is why you get paid the big bucks, right?

In the simplest form it is about we do ‘this’ or we don’t, a yes or no choice. Could also be a choice between option A or option B. Etcetera, but a choice where there are pluses and minuses, so many and so close (or so small), that it is hard to decide

One method that very quickly helps bring clarity is to do a tag team chart

Take a new sheet of paper and draw a line vertically to divide it in half, left and right
At the top state the question in writing. For example ‘eat the chocolate bar or do not eat the chocolate bar’ (one of those tiny ones that are around at Halloween. Can you feel the tension already?)
Label the top of one column as ‘plus’ and the other as ‘minus’
Start on either side and fill in the first response
Then, and this is vital to the process, after only one response on, say, the plus side, go to the minus side and put one response, then back to the plus
You are not allowed to put two pluses and then do a minus
One side then the other, back and forth
Until you are stuck on one of the sides

At this point you will have more clarity about what is the best decision because one column seems to have run out of entries. You’ll know more because you had to dig a bit to keep the back and forth going

That is one way

Now for the extra half, before we get to the second way

Take the ramifications of a yes or a no, of an A or a B, and multiply by 100
So not one chocolate bar, even though they are so tiny, but 100 of them. Eat them all or eat none of them? Notice your thinking on the topic now?

Now you have more clarity

Method number 2 was offered to me by a wise sage about 24 years ago when I was in the midst of growing our flagship company
It goes like this
If A and B are as close as you claim they are, what is the amount of energy, resources, lost sleep, etc that you are applying to splitting this hair?
Just choose, put the options in a hat and draw if you have to
And apply all of your energy and resource etc to making that choice fly well starting right now instead. Forget the other option
Think of the head start you’ll have and the ability to patch over any minor differences, if needed, compared to squirming about deciding
Go! Do! And never mind the analysis paralysis. If they are truly that close, just get started

And smile

Hmmmm?

So there you have it
Method number 1
With the upgrade to method number 1.5
And method 2, when the situation fits

Joseph Seiler MCC