Anyone who’s had to navigate in the tough job market and economic climate today will tell you that indecisiveness can be crippling. Not having the ability to process information to make a quick strategic decision usually means the difference between prospering and utter failure. Many secretly struggle with “professional paralysis” and remain frustrated because they’ve never obtained the simple skills to get through the process. I am excited to share with you how to employ the power of intent into the mix and literally master every moment.
Let’s start from the inside. Often we misunderstand what goes into making decisions and getting off our proverbial fences. It starts as an inside job. Our life experiences have developed into a cement-like belief system. This system is what we use to govern our lives. We live and die by the beliefs we hold as truth. Our behaviors and thinking develop through our belief system. In fact, it is also where we derive our intent. Therefore, we must fully understand how important our intent really is.
Intent is defined as the state of a person’s mind that directs their action. We struggle with decisions because we have not uncovered or defined our true intent. This requires a choice on our part. Interestingly, in the original Latin, intent is the implication of stretching back and taking aim. Look at the specificity of intent. It is not some half-hearted attempt at an objective. It is deliberate, determined and accurate. When you have intent on board, you have positioned yourself as a person of strategic action. We know a decision must be made, so delaying the process only serves to weaken our intentions.
Here are (3) steps to strengthen the decision-making process:
- Define the true objective: Often people engage in all types of activities, but they are not productive. I feel “busyness” is the new lazy. Some people wear the saying “I don’t have time to make decisions or be involved” as a badge of honor. It’s time to slow down and define what you want to accomplish. Until then, you are wasting time.
- Identify what you have on board: Some make decisions based on what they wish they had. This is the wrong approach. You can only proceed forward with your own confirmed skills, not a wish list. Access the skills in your tool box when it’s time to make a decision.
- Determine who’s in your circle: Some objectives could very easily be acquired if we just utilized the people we call friends. It’s surprising the unnecessary lengths we go through even though we already know people who are “connected.” The purpose for a circle is to maximize and leverage relationships. Find out who has the “hook up” for you!
Psychologists describe Asthenic Personality Disorder (APD) as shifting into a continual state of paralysis. In this state, people are unable to make the simplest decisions. They increasingly depend on caregivers and find it hard to lead a productive life. As we look back over our lives, we may see evidence of APD-type behavior. There’s nothing wrong with asking friends and family for their opinions on certain key decisions. However, when we find ourselves spending the bulk of our time stuck on fences and afraid to make mistakes, we have to hold ourselves accountable. Life will soon pass by if you don’t get into the race.
© 2012, Early L. Jackson. All rights reserved.
Early L. Jackson is co-founder of New Direction Coaching Associates and author of “Groomed For Greatness: 31 Days To An Empowered Life”.
