Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being.
1. Test the water
This week’s word is: Decision
A decision is the act of making a choice or coming to a conclusion after considering various options or alternatives. It involves evaluating information, weighing pros and cons, and ultimately selecting a course of action or belief.
The word "decision" comes from the Latin word "decisio," which means "a cutting off" or "a settling." This is derived from the verb "decidere," meaning "to cut off" or "to decide." The components of the Latin word include "de-" (down, away) and "caedere" (to cut). The term reflects the idea of resolving a choice by effectively "cutting off" other options.
What is your definition of decision and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here.
2. Experience the initial wave
To broaden your perspective, take a few minutes to read the following quotes and ideas and notice what comes up for you.
I.
"Life is a sum of all your decisions." Albert Camus
II.
"Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions." Mark Twain
III.
The terms "choice" and "decision" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:
Choice refers to the act of selecting an option from a range of possibilities. It emphasizes the options available. Choice is often more intuitive and casual, focusing on the immediate options and personal preferences. It’s about selecting from what’s available without extensive deliberation. Everyday scenarios, like picking an outfit or deciding what to eat, exemplify this.
Decision involves a more thorough process. It includes generating more possibilities, evaluating options, considering consequences and impacts and, at times, engaging with others for insights. Decisions are typically linked to significant impacts, like career changes or major life choices, and drive actions that lead to results.
3. Dive deep
To gain a deeper understanding and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to reflect on the following question:
What steps do you typically follow when making a decision?
In what situations do you feel most confident about your decisions? What contributes to that confidence?
Are there specific situations where you struggle more with decision-making? What factors contribute to this?
In what ways can you improve your decision-making process?
4. Ride your radiant wave
On average, people make thousands of choices each day. Estimates suggest that adults make around 35,000 choices daily, which breaks down to about 2,000 choices per hour—or roughly one choice every two seconds.
This week I invite you to reduce the number of choices you make every day. Decreasing the number of choices you make can help simplify your life and reduce fatigue. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce the cognitive load of daily choosing and free up mental energy for more significant decisions. Here are some strategies to consider:
Establish routines: Create daily routines for regular tasks, such as meals and workouts, to minimize the number of decisions required.
Limit options: Narrow down choices in areas where you tend to feel overwhelmed. For example, choose a few go-to outfits or meals.
Use decision-making frameworks: Implement tools like pros and cons lists or decision matrix to simplify the evaluation process.
Automate choices: When appropriate, use technology or set systems that automate choice for you, like a scheduling apps or a coin toss app for more playful choices 😊
Designate decision-free time: Allocate specific times when you won’t make any decisions, allowing for a mental break.
Practice mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness to become more aware of your decision-making process, which can help streamline it.
Delegate: Share decision-making responsibilities with others, when possible, whether at work or in personal relationships.
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