We make decisions everyday. Little ones like, what do I want for breakfast? What should I wear today? Others are much bigger and have profound effects on our lives. Should I get married? Do I want to be a parent? What job should I take?
Every time we make a decision we are choosing to do something and choosing to not do something else. We close alternatives that we may not be able to bring back. Big decisions don’t just affect us, they affect others as well. They are commitments and promises we make to ourselves and to those affected by our decisions.
What do we need to know to help us make the better decision? How can we be sure that we are making the right decision?
We can start by avoiding the following three deadly mistakes.
1. Not having a clear personal life vision
Your personal life vision is the compass in your life. It guides you in the present and the future. It is the path you create to fulfill your life’s purpose. Your personal life vision gives you the roadmap to your dreams leading you, even in the dark, to find your own way. When you don’t have a vision for your life, you let circumstances and other persons’ priorities determine who you are and what you do. Having a clear personal life vision guides you in making life choices that create the life you imagine.
2. Not having a clear understanding of your core values
Your core values are the underlying principles to how you behave and show up in your life. They define who you are. The actions you take are guided by what you think, what you believe, what you feel. Your core values are the foundation of your being. When you know what these core values are for you, you will behave in ways that demonstrate those values. Having a clear understanding of your core values will make it easier to match your choices with what you believe in your head and feel in your heart. Your decisions will be congruent with who you are.
3. Not knowing your personal strengths
Your personal strengths are the things that seem natural and easy for you to do. They are the activities that fire you up and you want to do. You may undervalue your personal strengths because they seem effortless. You may not see your strengths as valuable, placing a higher value on what is difficult for you. When you know your strengths and value them, you make decisions that capitalize on your talents in the actions you take. Knowing your personal strengths gives you the chance to create a fulfilling life.
If we know who we are deep in our core — our personal vision, our core values, our personal strengths — we will make the decisions that will be the right ones for us and those affected by our decisions.