Do you question yourself before making a decision?
I know I do. I’m a QUESTIONER.
I’ve always been and always will be. I’ve been trained from an early age that for every problem there is a solution. And to get to the solution we must ask as many questions as possible until it is clear in our mind which direction to take. As a coach, I understand the power of questions and how they can help you dig deep and unleash several possible outcomes for your problem.
When I quit my 9 to 5, I had to make some tough decisions. I had to measure carefully my choices and take responsibility for whatever I would decide to do. My head would spin with questions I would formulate! However, sometimes, we got to stop ourselves because too many questions flying around in your head can actually drive you further away from your finding your solutions.
So, I asked myself some of these questions. This extensive list is to guide you while making your choices in life or in business.
Just pick a few that sound good to you and answer them truthfully:
- Will this decision makes me closer to my dreams, my goals and who I aspire to be?
- Does it align with my values and vision? What is my heart saying? Decision-makers choose with their logical head and sometimes forget to listen to their hearts and gut instinct. Also, asking if it brings me closer to or takes me further away from my values. Whenever possible I always ask myself if this or that path choice is aligned with my three values.
- If I don’t do this now, will I regret it? Whatever decision you make or whatever choice you pick, always take responsibility for your actions. Regretting is never a good feeling as resentment and frustration may arise.
- What is the worst-case outcome? This one is often disregarded. Having a contingency plan in place or an idea of the worst-case scenario will be the difference between success and failure. Even though failing gives you an opportunity to try again and adjust.
- What would I tell my best friend to do? We are so good at providing for others that we forget about our own needs. So, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes might just give you the solution you are seeking.
- What would happen if I did nothing?
- What are my options, and what are the pros and cons of each option?
- A year from now, if I decide to do this, what might this look like? What would change? Who would I be with?
- Will I like myself after making this decision?
- What am I afraid of? This goes deep into your inner self. Imagine you are making a decision around showing up online and spreading your knowledge and expertise. What fears come up from that? Would you be afraid of being judged by others? Would you be afraid of not looking professional? Dive into this because it is important to face your fears so that you can conquer them.
- What internal and external motivators are driving your decision? “Internal motivation” means that your motivation to accomplish your goal comes from within you. It is determined by your own values and goals. It is seen when a person undertakes an activity for its own sake without any sort of external rewards, such as a hobby. While “external motivation” means that we do something, not for the sake of inner fulfilment (because we want to), but to gain a reward or avoid a punishment.
- Would your life radically change if you make this decision or will it remain the same?
- What is my ideal outcome for a specific situation and decision? For example, “I want to work with a group of people so that I can leverage my time and have the freedom to travel, pursue my passion for art and spend more time with my family”. Having your ideal outcome in mind at all times can open up possibilities you haven’t considered.
OVER TO YOU
What questions do you find helpful for tackling big decisions? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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