Decisions – Encouragement is Personal

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Decisions are just ideas until we turn them into action…

Decisions always want more time.

Decisions always want more data.

Decisions always want more opinions.

Decisions don’t like risk.

Decisions don’t like being wrong.

Decisions don’t like upsetting people.

Decisions choose the path of least resistance, whenever allowed.

Decisions like being easy.

Decisions like being popular.

Decisions like being swayed by others.

Decisions like to follow.

Decisions like to blame someone.

Decisions like hiding behind distractions.

Decisions prefer urgency over importance.

Decisions prefer not to decide.

Decisions rarely see at a distance.

Decisions are just ideas until we turn them into action. They’ll be difficult. They’ll lack information. They’ll often be wrong.

Decide anyway!

Each of us gets to make our own decisions…even when we choose not to decide.

All the rest are the stories we tell to justify the decisions we’ve made.

Photo by Vladislav Babienko on Unsplash

#tbt – Throwback Thursdays

Each #tbt post gives us a glimpse of potential yet to be fulfilled…

It’s fun to see how long (and not grey) our friend’s hair was twenty or thirty years ago…especially if that person has little or no hair now (like me). It’s neat to see our faces before years of experience (and sun damage) have made their mark. The clothing styles are always good for a laugh…nice OP shorts, Magnum!

#tbt posts provide a window into who we were, and the things we thought were important. As we look at a #tbt photo, we know how things turn out for this “stranger” in the picture. The person in that old photo has years of decisions to make, countless lessons to learn, and many hearts to touch. Each #tbt post gives us a glimpse of potential yet to be fulfilled.

Look in the mirror. You get to see your future #tbt photo every day.

What potential do you have that has yet to be fulfilled? Whose hearts will you touch? Will you make sound decisions? What will you learn along the way? None of us know for certain.

One thing is certain. Many of the things that seem important today won’t be so important in twenty or thirty years.

Your humble writer, on his wedding day in July, 1988.

On Being Right

Think back to decisions you made five years ago, two years ago, one year ago.

Knowing what you know today, would you have made the same decisions? Chances are, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and the passage of time, at least a few of your past decisions don’t look as good today.

Think about the decisions you’ll be making today, tomorrow, a year from now.

Do you plan to make the right decision? Of course you do. But, what will “future you” think of these decisions in two years, or five years?

What if the decision you made in the past was the exact right one, but needs to change today in the face of new facts? Will you make the new decision?

As automobile and air travel were being invented, imagine if railroad companies allowed their names (and missions) to change from railroad, to transportation. Railroad companies certainly had the capital and infrastructure advantages necessary to take a commanding lead in all forms of transportation, not just rail. Unfortunately, in the face of new information and disruptive innovation, they chose to hold onto their past “right” decisions. They chose to focus on being the best railroad companies, when they could have become the best transportation companies.

Making new decisions without the burden of always having to defend past decisions can lead to unexpected, and sometimes awe-inspiring, new opportunities.

Are you giving yourself and those around you the freedom to make new, better-informed decisions? Are you willing to be wrong in the past?