Ever have a heart thumping, nail biting, head scratching decision that you just couldn’t make? Where saying, “yes” means saying “no” to something you love and saying “no” does the same thing?
Yep, being stuck between a rock and a hard place is one of the worst places to be in especially when it comes to making a life-changing decision.
When either decision leads to a path unknown, it’s kind of scary to take that leap. And if we don’t? If we stay small, do nothing and avoid making a choice at all cost, the decision will be made for us.
So we either take a risk, sacrifice something good in the process or stay where we are and never grow.
Hard one huh.
What would you do?
- When making a decision like that, I go through a decision-making process. It starts with an ole pros and cons list. But truthfully those really don’t help me. It’s a great way to begin to visually put all your cards on the table. For example, should I quit this job that’s not a good fit? A pro could be more free time. A con would be less money. Those lists just put me on a never ending roller coaster ride with my emotions and no one wins.
- Then I give in to my self-indulgent side and begin getting feedback from my community. I talk with friends who are more logical than me and others who are as emotional and intuitive as me. In the end, I usually feel more confused than ever. Yet, it’s all part of the process.
- After I’ve done my research (listen to others, listen to myself), I sit and do nothing. That’s right. I do everything BUT think about that decision. I read. I play. I bike ride. I meditate.
- Then, I listen to my inner truth. The part of me that already knew what I would do in the first place. This happens by slowly and ever so carefully removing other people’s feelings, obligations, my own guilt from the equation, until all that’s left is my own voice. I ask myself, “What would you do if you didn’t care about anything else, but what you want?” I visualize making that decision and I focus in on how I feel physically and emotionally. Then, it’s clear.
- All that’s left are having the courage to make that decision, trusting the process, and accepting the result no matter what it is.
So that’s how I handle a tough decision. What about you? What do you do when you feel like you’re in between a rock and a hard place?
