Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Make A Decision Already!

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www.SuccessNetworkGroup.com


Life is about choices and the decisions we make. Even deciding not to decide is in reality making a decision!

Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight roads. Many roads come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation.

There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune, or isolation and poverty. There are roads to happiness, just as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment.

Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad.

With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad and never move forward?


There are no guarantees.

You don't really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life.

Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time will always lead you to happiness. Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it will be returned.

Gaining fame and fortune doesn't guarantee happiness. There are too many possible outcomes, which are really out of your control.

The only thing you have is the power over the decisions that you will make, and how you will act and react to different situations.


"Hindsight is 20/20."

Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Probably not, why would you choose a certain path if you knew it would get you lost?

Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it's not the right one, or the best one. It's only after you have made the decision and reflected upon it that you realize its soundness, or lack thereof.

If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have probably decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was most likely wrong. We should learn from our mistakes so that they are not repeated!


Take a risk: decide.

Since life offers no guarantees and you will never know whether your decision is wrong until you have made it, you might as well take the risk and decide. It's definitely better than not deciding and keeping yourself in limbo.

Although it's true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure. It's all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist in life.

But be careful that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life's crossroads:

1] Get as much information as you can about your situation.

You can't find the confidence to make an informed decision when you know so little about what you are facing.

Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W's; what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen or when is it going to happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation?

These are just some of the possible questions to ask in order to find out more about the situation. This is important. Usually, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.

2] Identify and create options.

What options do you have? Sometimes the options are few, and sometimes they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time to create your own options.

Put your creative mind to work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, be open-minded to all ideas. Don't discard anything when an idea presents itself. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the long run.

You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even come up with additional options if you encounter some difficulty, but make sure that you make the decision on your own in the end.

3] Weigh the pros and cons of every option.

Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. Assessing each option will allow you to obtain more insight about the consequences of such an option.

4] Trust yourself and make the decision.

Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust in yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always in hindsight. So choose ... decide ... believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.


Now that you've made a decision, be ready to face its consequences; whether good or bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems.

But the important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life. Whether it's the right decision or not, only time will tell.

Don't regret your choice, whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it, don't repeat it, and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.


As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

About the Author:

Lou and Robin Bonaventura have been Professional
Network Marketers for the past 4 years. They attribute
much of their success to personal development and
consistent learning. Visit their Learning Centers
for more insight into how personal development can
benefit you.

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