(Principles are basic truths that, when applied, cause success to come to you easier and quicker.)

 

One of the markers of a person’s growing maturity is that they are making better decisions. Children, and even many young adults, tend to make decisions based on the instant gratification of their immediate wants and needs. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that timing, it tends to ignore even bigger returns which may be provided by making decisions which take in a longer view.

Key to making powerful decisions is the timing of the decision.

For instance, if you want to go to the gym in the morning to have a workout which you feel will help you be healthy, making that decision when the alarm goes off — the bed is warm, the room is cold, you’re still sleepy, and thoughts of exercise seem less than exciting — is not the time to make the decision.

The time to make your workout decision is before you go to bed. Arrange your gym clothes, set the alarm to get you to the gym on time, and then go to sleep feeling good about your decision. In the morning, instead of making a decision you are simply executing a pre- decided process.

Look at the timing of some of your past decisions which didn’t turn out so well. Did you decide in the middle of high emotion or neediness? When feeling lack, hunger, fear, or separateness? These are typically not good times to make a decision.

How about some of your past decisions which worked out really, really well? What was the timing of those?

 

Coaching Point: What’s a decision you are currently facing? Is now a good time to make it?

 

Copyright 2010 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.