Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Make Decisions NOT Choices
When was the last time you made a DECISION?
I know what you’re saying—“Keisha, I make decisions all the
time.”
No, I mean real decisions. What most of us do in
our daily lives is make choices. Choices consist of
selecting from options that are presented before us—this or that or the
other. When you make a choice, you’re ultimately not responsible
for the outcomes because it really wasn’t your decision.
You just had to choose from the options that were presented before you.
There wasn’t much thought given to what happens after you make
the choice. Usually you make the choice and then move on from
there. At the next crossroads, you make another choice, and so on.
How many times do you hear people say “But I didn’t have a
choice” when encountered with a difficult situation? (You
usually hear this when they did something that caused someone else a
great deal of pain or inconvenience.)
Choices are external. The control is not yours.
The outcomes from choices are predetermined based on the options
that are presented. You are simply choosing which of the outcomes you
prefer to deal with—or not deal with—as the case may be.
When people make choices, they seldom accept responsibility for
any of the outcomes that come with them for the simple fact that they
weren’t involved in making the decision that led up to the choice.
Even when you say the words “I choose”,
you don’t feel in control. You feel as if there’s still
some doubt—as if the other option still might be better.
Think about it. When a waiter asks you what you’re having,
and you say “I think I’ll choose the fish.” Do you sound
certain about that? Is that your final answer?
Or when you tell someone that you’ve “chosen to start your
own business” or “chosen to go back to school” or
even that you’ve “chosen to take the day off”, do you find that
they question you?
The problem isn’t that you’re not respected. The
problem is in your choice of words and actions.
You’re making choices when you should be
making decisions.
Now, decisions, on the other hand, are by their very nature
concrete. They bring with them a feeling of being in control; of finality
of someone who knows what they want and will not be questioned or
second-guessed.
Making decisions implies that you have weighed
all of the possible outcomes; examined the situation from all angles;
understand all of the variables involved and that you come to the best
conclusion possible and determined that this is the course of
action that you will take as a result.
Making decisions implies taking responsibility
for the outcomes.
Making decisions implies that you are in
control.
Making decisions implies that you are not to
be questioned, because there is no doubt and nothing left to be explored.
Making decisions is proactive way of controlling
your life, while making choices is reaction to circumstances.
Now, repeat the same scenario from before, this time make some
decisions instead of choices.
When a waiter asks you what you’re having, and you say “I
have decided to have the fish.” How do you feel as a
result? What do you believe the impression is this time as opposed to
before?
Or when you tell someone that you’ve “decided to start
your own business” or “decided to go back to school” or
even that you’ve “decided to take the day off”, do you find that
they question you now?
It’s the same, yet incredibly different.
The first step to becoming Released and Ready is to make a
decision—not a choice. You must make a decision to be different.
You have to decide to find those things that fuel your passion; align with your
purpose and build your legacy. You have to decide that you are committed
to be what you need to become in order release all that you are and are meant
to be.
The first step to being Released and Ready is to make a decision.
Are you ready?
Decide.
Keisha A. Rivers Shorty is a strategist, consultant, speaker and
author. She wears two hats-as the founder and Executive Director of The
KARS Institute for Learning & Collaboration, a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to provide training, resources and support to nonprofits, community
organizations, churches, schools and small businesses--and also the founder and
managing consultant of The KARS Group, LTD, which specializes in providing
personal and professional strategic development services to small businesses,
organizations and individuals. Ms. Rivers Shorty is a grant writer,
adjunct instructor, former foundation executive director, educator and
administrator. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker and
published author. She is currently launching her women's tour
"Released & Ready!" in summer 2013 which helps women to fuel
their passion, align with their purpose and build their legacy. Find out
more about Keisha at www.releasedandready.com or www.karsgroup.com or
find her on facebook.
