Decisions, Decisions

What's on my mind this week . . .

I consider myself a quick decision-maker, one prone to speedy evaluation of data presented. In my former life, I was the Global Technology VP for Pfizer, Inc. In that role, I would often be presented with alternatives by consulting firms and direct reports. I guess my speedy self was noticeable, as I clearly remember one consulting firm manager interrupting the voluminous slide presentation his colleague was making to say, “Get to the last slide – she’s way ahead of you.”

Yup – that’s me in a nutshell. Maybe it is my Aries nature. I grasp arguments quickly and am ever ready to leap. The results haven’t always served me well, but my batting percentage is still high. What I never discussed with those awaiting my decisions was my process. Underneath the mind that moved through data points at the speed of light was my real decision-making center – my gut. And the only times I have tripped myself up in life have been the ones where I have allowed analysis to override my gut instinct.

What I call my gut is my intuitive approach to what is beneficial to me in life. As someone who strives for balance and a rich inner life, I listen to the small, still, voice within. And, my gut helps me hear that voice when my mind is chattering with all the what ifs that surround any important decision.

This week the decision that mattered was whether to buy out my car lease and keep my 2022 Subaru. Let me mention that I LOVE my car – LOVE. It’s a bright blue jewel of reliability and durability. However, at my age, there is the allure of the shiny new model with even more safety features and the attractiveness of a lease that covers you bumper to bumper while you have the car. I don’t drive a lot – after three and a half years, I have only 17,000 miles on the odometer. Somehow, when I wasn’t looking, I became that little old lady who has a car in great shape because she only drives maybe 5,000 miles a year.

I made the decision to buy out the lease and as I write, I am now the proud owner of my little piece of vehicular paradise. The tougher decision for me was what financing company to go with to make the decision happen as painlessly as possible. For that decision I relied on my honored process of checking in with my gut. Here’s how I do that:

1) I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths

2) I then visualize the situation in question – for this example I visualized a large whiteboard with the names of three contenders for financing.

3) I then focused on each name one at a time and checked in with how my gut felt.

4) If I felt a feeling I relate to danger Will Robinson, it was a NO. If I felt a sensation I relate to anticipation, it was a YES.

Many years ago I used this technique to choose my career, the companies I would work for, the apartments or homes I would live in or buy. With my work life, I would visualize myself in the office in question doing the job in question and I would immediately get that feeling of NO or YES. I’ve learned I can trust that method. What I’ve also learned is that my method works best with matters and situations that I control. When others are involved, then it is a different process of collaboration, and negotiation. But, for now, my car and its financing are happily set.

I invite you this week to think about your own decision-making process. Do you ever get into analysis-paralysis? Do you believe that there are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ sides to any decision? Do you have trouble making a decision because you can’t peer into an unknown future and see the ultimate result? If so, perhaps it is time to try my method that bypasses the busy brain and puts you in touch with a source of wisdom that is always within.

As always I’m sending love and compassion out to all those suffering. The world needs our kindness now more than ever. Have a great week.