The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your decisions. The highest performers use a proven method for making good decisions as quickly as possible, and then taking action. In this episode, we’ll explore the two most important elements for making a quality decision.
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On This Episode
Rhythm of Life – Strong Back, Soft Front? How About Big Backlog?
Random Riffs – A Book of Pure Imagination
Feature Segment – Want a High-Quality Life? Make Quality Decisions
Today’s Quote
It is in the moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. –Tony Robbins
Rhythm of Life – Strong Back, Soft Front? How About Big Backlog
In episode 083, I talked about my theme for 2018: Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart.
It’s easy to say. Not easy to do. That’s why it’s a theme or a vision, rather than a measurable goal to hit.
How am I doing so far? It’s a mixed bag. It’s not like a magic wand, where I can wave it and it happens. Still, there’s something about intention. Saying it out loud. Our subconscious mind tries to make that true.
Any meditative practice is meant to help us notice what we’re mindlessly doing. And then choose to do what’s actually helpful instead.
Listen to hear what I’ve learned so far, as I’ve quieted my mind enough to focus.
How’s your project going? What have you noticed around your theme for 2018? If for some reason you’ve stopped because you’re not perfect, just start again. Set your intention and act.
Let me know how it’s going. Send an email to kathleen@kathleenannthompson.com or leave a comment. I’ll check in too. As Simon Sinek says, Together is Better.
Random Riffs – A Book of Pure Imagination
Recently I’ve been listening to Josh Groban’s Stages album – songs from musical theater and movies.
The opening song is called “Pure Imagination” from a movie called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Starring Gene Wilder, based on book by Roald Dahl called “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
I loved that book when I was a kid. Charlie gets an opportunity he never expected, and his eyes are opened to all kinds of possibilities.
Don’t you want to believe that? That anything is possible? That all it takes is some imagination and hard work? Don’t you want to believe in a little bit of magic? That good things happen to good people – at least sometimes?
I know I do. It’s easy to forget, though.
I’m giving you permission right now to imagine. Dream. Believe. Go ahead.
Feature Segment – Want a High-Quality Life? Make Quality Decisions
It was 1991. We were going to buy the house we were renting, but then it fell through. Now we’re scrambling to find another one. What we see is mostly awful. Finally we find a few options that could actually work for us. Which do we choose? What’s the best option?
How do we make decisions like this – or others that are important? Especially when the stakes are high?
The quality of your life depends on the quality of your decisions. And so today we explore how to make high-quality decisions to have a high-quality life.
This is the ninth episode in Life 2.x mini-series. A counter-cultural guide to success.
Links to the previous episodes:
Episode 076 – Why Start With Joy
Episode 077 – How to Live With Joy
Episode 078 – How to Measure Your Life
Episode 079 – What Steals Joy
Episode 080 – The Birth of Hope
Episode 081 – 3 Road-signs to Follow Instead of Passion
Episode 082 – What to Do When Tested
Episode 083 – Why SMART Goals Aren't Always Smart
Back to my house decision. What should we do? How should we make a decision this big? This expensive? What we did wasn’t great. We didn’t have a decision-making method. We fumbled our way through it. And really got lucky.
I don’t want you to repeat our mistakes. I don’t want you to trust the important decisions of your life to luck. I’d like you to be able to make high-quality decisions, feel confident in them, and take quick action. That’s what the most successful people do.
I’ve learned a lot about making decisions since the house-buying days. Both at work and in my personal life. And today I’m sharing my hard-won experience so you don’t have to suffer as much as I have.
First, how NOT to make decisions.
- Rely on luck or chance
- Ask people for advice
- Make a list of pluses and minuses
- Go with your gut
- Make a purely fact-based decision
Listen to the episode to hear why those approaches don’t work as you might expect.
Now, what can you do instead?
- Know what’s most important to you
- Make the decision in writing
- Ask for information instead of advice
- Practice with low or no-risk decisions
- Include your head and heart
Listen to the episode to hear more about these strategies.
If you’re still unsure, you might want to engage a coach to help you process through your decision. I’m happy to spend 1-2 sessions helping you work through big decisions you have pending. To help you clarify what’s most important to you. Reach out at kathleen@kathleenannthompson.com, or click the button below.
Yes! I want to make quality desicions
If you don't need coaching, but would like a copy of my decision-making template, you can email me and I'll send it right away.
Remember: The quality of your life determined by the quality of your decisions. Make them good ones.
How did you make a decision the last time something really mattered? Leave a comment.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.