The Horrors of Decision Making. Can’t make a decision? Then read this blog

421 bottles of shampoo on the supermarket shelf, 1503 emails in your inbox, 74 letters in your in tray, New career, New country. Oh, and that’s just on Mondays.

Coaching_Nation The horror of decisions

How do some people seem to effortlessly prioritise, make decisions and execute change in their lives and their businesses?

Well the answer lies partly in horror movies!

How is it possible that we can experience being petrified in a horror movie and actually enjoy it, but changing the sock drawer can fill us with a dread that drains the blood from our bodies and leaves us unable to function?

Well, interestingly, that adrenaline rush that we get from being scared can actually paralyse us or propel us forward.

Watching a horror movie we slip into voyeur mode. Even though our brain knows it’s not real we identify with the images and experience it physically as if it were real life.

In other words our brain is saying it’s ok you’re just watching so enjoy the ride.

I’m not saying decisions are a horror but they can often paralyse and put us into a watching frame of mind.

SO know the following:

1. That in horror movies the fear of blood spilling is even more paralysing than the act itself. Know that the nervous system becomes activated and this releases adrenaline into the bloodstream that can stop you concentrating on even the smallest of tasks. Fear is there for a reason – if you are facing a tiger – less necessary when choosing shampoos.

2. Humans shed their skin but sometimes our family and friends and colleagues, through no fault of their own, can only see the original formation. Are you single loop editing – going over and over the same things with the same people? Know that doing more of the same gets the same results.

3. In horror movies people are daft and put themselves on the edge of the cliff – well remember you don’t have to. You can project your own future. It’s called making a strategic plan and putting it into action. Know that there are some brilliant techniques for analysing variables.

4. Know that thinking is essential and action is vital. Reflection is a gift but without action it’s pretty meaningless.

5. Know that depending on context a 10-minute plan can be as effective as a 10- year plan. There are short cuts.  In order to take them you need to start with the first steps; know what you are aiming for, minimise your risks, do your research, commit to the first step and expect a little flutter of adrenaline as change occurs.

If there is one thing to remember in life it is that no-one has all the answers, also it’s good to remember that nothing is perfect, nothing changes if nothing happens and making big decisions is much less mysterious than we think.

 

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© Copyright Sharon Kennet at Coaching Nation 2013 – all rights reserved