August 24, 2005

WORKPLACE WISDOM NEWSLETTER

A Fork in the Road

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

August 24, 2005

Sometimes we're so bombarded by decisions that we feel like we're

drowning.

Some decisions are small ones like:

* "Shall I mow the lawn today or Saturday?"

* "Shall I invite Mary or Sarah to go to the movies?"

* "Will I eat french fries with my hamburger tonight?"

Some decisions are so serious they shape our future.

* "Is this the girl I'll ask to marry me?"

* "Shall I angrily address this situation with my boss -- or let it go?"

* "Will we relocate to Montreal or remain here?"

The smaller decisions, occur daily -- even hourly. And we get pretty good at the small stuff.

But the big decisions are FORKS IN THE ROAD.

Earl Nightingale spoke of river people and boat people in one of his famous speeches many

years ago. Some of us river people simply take life as it comes, and we "let the river of life carry

us" in its current. Some of us boat people "steer the boat", Nightingale said. He meant that if

we're boat people, we make the best decisions possible with the limited amount of visibility we

have.

I like his analogy because none of us can see around the bend in the river. Therefore, our

decisions to steer (and make our decisions) are based on limited information -- even at best.

If we can't see around the bend...

and if we can't know for sure what the outcomes of our decisions will be...,

THEN, HOW DO WE LEARN TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS?

Is there a formula to follow? No, not exactly.

But FIVE VERY SIGNIFICANT ATTRIBUTES must be used

when we find ourselves at a FORK IN THE ROAD.

August 24, 2005

What are the FIVE VERY SIGNIFICANT ATTRIBUTES for decision making?

* COMMON SENSE -- I believe this is "Number One". Think! Think! If it's not logical, be careful.

* CONSCIENCE -- Is it "right or wrong"? Is it ethical? Does this decision hurt me or others I love

and care about?

* EXPERIENCE -- Have I been here before? Have I seen this before? I have I been in this mess

before?

* IMAGINATION -- This is your ability to visualize a scenario beyond today. Where will this lead in

the future?

* SELF-AWARENESS -- Examine your emotions and moods. They can be exhilarating but also

deadly deceptive.

When you hear someone say, "It just FEELS RIGHT", remind them that they are only using 1/5 of

their Decision Making Attributes! There's a whole lot more to making intelligent decisions than

using the old adage of a "gut feeling". Get busy evaluating the other 4/5 of the decision!

How do you make good decisions?

USE ALL OF THESE ATTRIBUTES LISTED ABOVE.

Work them together.

Omit none.

Well-thought-out-decisions reap positive and invigorating results for us. How fun it is to venture

down new pathways.

A FORK IN THE ROAD is a true pivotal point.

The results of these big decisions will be long-lasting and far-reaching.

Take your time.

Use all five of the DECISION MAKING ATTRIBUTES listed above.

Sow a thought; reap an action.

Sow an action; reap a habit.

Sow a habit; reap a character.

Sow a character; reap a destiny.

So you see, your destiny is determined, then, one quality decision at a time!

Wow!

I wish you great courage as you make those FORK-IN-THE-ROAD decisions

...and a life that reaps the benefits of all your deligent deliberation!