February 17, 2016

decide

dəˈsīd/

verb

1. come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration.”they decided to appoint someone else”◦make a choice from a number of alternatives.”she had decided on her plan of action”

◦synonyms: resolve, determine, make up one’s mind, make a decision; Moreelect, choose, opt, plan, aim, have the intention, have in mind. “she decided to become a writer”

The latin root of DECIDE is DE-CAEDERE – meaning “to cut off.” Once you decide something you cut off all other options. It gives decisions clarity and focus because there is no other option. You must press forward even if it is difficult.
Making a DECISION causes action. It makes $tuff happen.

Some people never DECIDE to do anything in their lives. They let other people decide for them. Yes I am sure this happens to all of us to some decree; wether parents, society, boyfriend/girlfriend or even spouse. There are all kinds of things in the world that pressure us to decide what path to take.

Some people weigh every possible option before making a decision. This can be positive or/and negative. Sometimes these kinds of people never make a decision at all. They just keep going over the same information over and over and over and over — sometimes to the point of agony.

Like the whole world pendulums on this one decision. I am sure none of you have a friend like this ;).

Other people flippantly make huge decisions on a whim every other week. You may know a person or two like this as well. They always seem to be changing plans and you never know what direction they are going. Again, this can be a strength or/and a weakness. The issue here is that their decisions may not really be decisions at all.

Then how do we decide?!

Everyones path is different. We all weigh life information through our own lens, our own paradigm of life. I am sure we could put ourselves in both camps — “over-caustious” and “over-drastic.” The common denominator here is that both camps may never really make a decision.

Lately with certain things I have been making stronger decisions quicker. Call it a practice of discipline or of commitment or of training the mind what direction I want to go and to be quicker to go that way. It has felt good.

To Cut Off — Make a decision

The road is going to constantly change in front of you anyway. CUT OFF what you do not want to pursue and start moving in the direction of your desires.

It is easier to steer a moving ship than one stuck in port. Or even a moving car for that matter. Momentum begets movement. Momentum gets you where you want to go.

Yes you may need to change course and that is ok. But the first step is to decide and commit to it. When things get hard, because they will, stick to it and if you need a slight adjustment on the trajectory that is ok.

IF you feel stuck – make a decision and start moving. Once you start moving you will see if you need to adjust your corse or not. It could be a slight adjustment or it could be a u-turn.  Even if it is a U-TURN you would have never known it unless you started moving in that direction.  (but never u-turn just because it is hard, that is never a reason to give up on anything)

Meet anyone who has ever U-TURNED and I am sure they will tell you of what they learned  through that U-TURN.

What decision are you weighing right now?! What information have you gone over and over and over in your head?! Are you at the point where you need to $hit or get off the pot? DECIDE – CUT OFF other options and start moving. Clarity will come once you make a decision, and not before then.

 

 

*the quote on the bottom photo is from Paul Ardin’s book, Whatever You Think Think The Opposite. It is one of my all time favorite books. This quote is basically saying that when you look back at a decision you made, it was the only one that you could have made at the time with the knowledge you had. It is such a freeing perspective where regret slips away. Move forward, make the next decision and have no regrets.

** not much on the workout front – still some back issues – but I did get in some priceless painting time today, that is a discipline in itself.

***I love my wife. She keep putting up with my procrastination and work on these blogs. It takes time and is a commitment to write/post one each and every day. Thank you wife for being so gracious with me. I love you tons.