What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do?
When you get overloaded because you have too many choices, what do you do? When you don’t know what to do because you don’t have enough choices, what do you do? (Hint…the 5-1-3 system of decision making).
Some get stressed out and act out. Reacting from stress and pressure can create bad results and bad results can become patterns of bad attitudes and behavior. Over time, negative thoughts and negative behaviors can create paralysis by analysis, negatively weaken the immune system, create mood swings, cause sleepless nights and lead to all kinds of physical ailments.
If problem solving tools aren’t available, the mental go-to can be frustration, anger and procrastination.
A very simple principle I’ve shared in coaching is what I call the 5-1-3 system of decision making. Not a sexy title, but very effective.
Most who come to coaches are looking to collaborate for specific results. Some are: increasing income, decision making, developing a plan of action or to get unstuck where they feel powerless. Some know what they need to do, but are overwhelmed by the wide array of choices they can make. What path is right, what path is wrong?
Sometimes there are questions about establishing balance in life. How do you prioritize to allocate time, resources and energies to feel whole? 7 areas of balance: Physical, financial, educational, emotional, family, social, spiritual.
The 5-1-3 of Decision Making
1) Select an area from the list of 7 areas of balance, above. In that area, write down 5 or more ideas that come to mind. Probably ideas you’ve thought of, justified away and passed on before. Maybe, in the process, a new thought will pop into your thoughts. Don’t judge your thoughts, just write them down. Quantify don’t qualify. Example: Physical– Possibilities might be, cycling, running, weight training, yoga or stretching classes, fast walking, cross training. Educational– Possibilities might be, learning to play guitar, learning to read faster, learning a new language, learning and using a new vocabulary word each day, learning to dance, learning to sail. Financial– Possibilities might be to create at least 5 prospecting business conversations daily or take a course on social network marketing or commit to another or high designation in your business or enroll in coaching for accountability or to collaborate on new, forward moving ideas or increase your sphere of influence by at least 3 per day.
2) Pick 1 action from your list. Focus on one area in the above list of 7 areas of balance, or take on more if you choose.
3) Do it for 3 months. There is no magic in 3 months. It could be 2 months, a semester or a finite series of classes or sessions. It’s really about doing something you’re not accustomed to and getting past the learning curve resistance that happens in the first week or two.
At the end of whatever the time period is that you had set, ask yourself if what you have done was productive, interesting, worthwhile, fun and worth continuing.
If yes, congratulations on learning something you feel good about. The feeling of mastering a new system or concept that serves you is an extraordinary one. Keep at it. It’s what confidence and a positive self-image are based on. Creating victories. Growing.
If the answer is no, you don’t want to continue, it didn’t serve its purpose. You still win. It’s out of your mind since you at least showed up. You probably learned something anyway that broadens you as a person.
If you hadn’t picked a winner, take another action from your list and do it for 3 months. Until you find that thing that clicks for you, you’re constantly learning and broadening. Learning is one of the insurers of happiness, brain health and mental sharpness moving forward.
This 5-1-3 system is an easy one to understand and carry out for focus, confidence and living up to your best expectations. But those things that are easy to do are also easy not to do. Start with your own 5-1-3 system of decision making today and you’ll happily use it to break through those periodic mental log jams, forever.
I invite you to email or call me if you’d like to discuss this or any number of great ideas to get back on track, or to simply move your business and life to more satisfying levels.