(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)
A common reason for people to have a problem making decisions is because they think a decision made now has to be correct for the rest of their life. It doesn’t. Nothing is forever.
No matter how long-range your thinking, the appearance of new information and new desires will cause you to re-visit your current decisions.
Of course, some decisions have long term implications — choosing to smoke comes to mind, as does having a plan for your financial future — but most of the decisions you make now will not prevent you from making different choices in the future.
What can you do?
Try letting go of the “forever” aspects of a decision and ask yourself what’s best for the next chunk of your life — a year, 3 years, maybe even 5 years. Where you are now and where you want to be for the next period are much more important than most people consider. If you’re not living the way you want right now, when will you?
Coaching Point: What do you want the next of your life to be?
Copyright 2005 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.