Consider How You Will Make Your Next Decision
We decide on things every day. What we’ll wear, eat, or do. How we’ll interact, if we’ll smile, and if we’ll take out the garage. Bigger decisions feel more challenging. How will you make your next decision?
It may come down to your list. The list you have floating around in your mind.
Our complex brain power often has us evaluating circumstances and situations through two possible narratives.
Good Narrative
One narrative is optimistic. It is the consideration of things that could go right. We reflect on possibilities, good fortune, and that it may just be our time.
We have faith and believe. In this case, at this time, luck just may be on our side. We’re due. In fact, we’re overdue.
We decide that we’ll focus on our advantages, who we can tap in our network, and we’ll see the inspirational stories flash through our mind.
By choice, we will anchor to the positive.
However, there is another narrative. It is the other side of the coin.
The Other Narrative
Any obstacles or past roadblocks will be strongly present in our vision. We’ll think more about a friend who failed, had bad luck, and the hardship and agony of things that don’t work out.
We’ll be reminded of the criticism that was on our performance review last year. The door that slammed before we could enter, and the goofy slip of the tongue that we believe cost us forward momentum once before.
By choice we’ll see the list of all the lucky people. Only we aren’t on it. We’ll choose to recite and focus that their luck is at the expense of our own.
We’ll recall the time that someone struck out at us, gave us the shaft, and made us feel like less.
Next Decision
We decide on things every day. The choices you make today will be linked to your narrative.
When you feel the big decision, have some doubt, or your instincts are kicking in. You’ll think about it over and over again.
Be aware of your narrative. Make your next decision, a good one.
-DEG
Originally posted on December 18, 2018, last updated on November 5, 2019.
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
