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NO EASY CHOICES
Thursday May 23, 2019
Easy to answer ‘what do you want?’ when standing in the candy store.
Tougher when standing high on some bench looking down a fantastic valley. Tougher still – looking at goals, plans, objectives and ‘quality of life’ things – written down some time ago, when I’ve been calm, relaxed and reflective.
I know we all have the ‘right to decide’, but I’ve learned I do best when I ‘write to decide’.
Watching ourselves do things (fly on our own wall) is curious. Reviewing thoughts and decision-making processes is difficult. This notion, if we could, to observe ourselves weighing pros & cons – trying to develop a process to get to wisdom, to get to conclusion, to get to success.
Sorting pros from cons; resisting reducing them to writing because of propensity (don’t we all?) to avoid recognizing the obvious (like not stepping on the scale when we fear the reading). And concerned, once I get my analysis on paper, I might hastily hit send.
Resuming daily readings – re-grounded in morning routine. My internal questions, trying to analyze as I would any new business opportunity, goes well beyond classic ‘is it real, is it worth it, can I win?’ querying. Easy. But, is that the best approach?
Reviewing things I’ve put on paper (really firm, really clear). Question then, whether some new opportunity, however sweet, fits my clearly thought out goals, my plans and works-in-progress?
I don’t think there is a bad question, but there certainly are poor decisions. I’ve got a repertoire in both business and personal situations – some I like, some I regret.
I want to do better, process better and to decide better.
P.S.: several people have asked me recently how Gusta is doing – and if we still do morning walks. Yes, but we go much slower now and not as far. Her health is steady, but once a golden retriever passes 12-13 you are on borrowed time – and Gusta turned 14 in March …
Reader feedback:
Great point! We non-millennials might get away with it, AG, Cancun, Mex.
Mark, you are so right. A few years ago I sold most of my businesses and took some time off. My wife and I went on a month long trip around the world. I decided no email etc. I took a phone with only a new email address on it which my assistant and kids only had for emergencies. The first few days were tough, like giving up coffee. By day 5, I was feeling better and by mid trip did not miss it at all. We slept better and were more focused on each other and our friends. Since then I try to only read my email three or four times a day and....it works. Thanks for giving me something to read each morning that is fun, interesting and not an "ask". Warmest regards, DA, Toronto, ON
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