Do you remember that old television program that gave the contestant the opportunity to choose one of three doors and receive whatever was behind the door?
I was reminded of this television program the other day when I was pondering a decision I was struggling to make. My usual process for decision-making is to make a list of pros and cons, revisiting and revising the list every couple of days. When I feel that everything is listed in the right column, I weigh the pros and cons and make my decision.
During this last exercise I had pros and cons on the paper but internally I was reading the headings as success and failure. Now, you know I know better! It didn't matter what I knew when making the list, I still kept reading success and failure. So, in frustration I put the list away and decided to let things sit for a few days and go back to it. This was really good advice, if I do say so myself.
It was in this waiting period that I thought of that old television program and the three doors. Now, it wouldn't be prudent to just choose a door and go with whatever was behind it, but the thought of the three doors made me realize I had three options. If I chose Door #1, I would choose option #1. Choosing Door #2 would mean I opted for the second option and if I chose Door #3 I would be choosing not to choose.
When it comes to decision-making we sometimes forget that not choosing is making a choice. We lose sight of the fact that not choosing can be healthy and rewarding. Now, of course, I don't mean you can just go through life letting life happen all the time, with no decision-making effort on your part. But, sometimes, that is just what you should do. When the decision-making is really tough, when you are thinking about it all the time and feel like you are getting nowhere, why not choose Door #3?
The next time I made my list I listed headings of Door #1, Door #2 and Door #3. Under Door #1 I listed all of the really good things about that option and then I did the same thing for Door #2. I did not list any cons! I simply created a vision of the best of both options. Under Door #3 I wrote "serendipity" (the gift of discovering things accidentally).
By not forcing myself to choose I opened Door # 3 and allowed myself the freedom of discovery. By not labeling pros and cons the success/failure identifiers went away. I now am able to discover whether Door #1 or Door #2 holds the prize I want to attain by envisioning, and living in the vision, of the best of both options.
Interesting Word History: English author Horace Walpole coined the word serendipity. In a letter of January 28, 1754, Walpole says that "this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."
Beth Densmore is a Personal Life Coach and Motivational Speaker who offers support, inspiration and motivation to those who are in transition and want to achieve a goal. For more information and more free articles like this, visit her site at http://www.newfocuscoaching.com.
"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up... Read More
Whether you are aware of it or not, we are... Read More
Have you ever had a great business idea?Did you focus... Read More
What a perfect fall Saturday morning, clear sunny blue sky,... Read More
Writing your own obituary sounds and feels a little strange,... Read More
I want to share with you a powerful principle that... Read More
What important goal have you set for yourself? What is... Read More
"Making a lot out of a little"Ever noticed how some... Read More
Just about everybody owns or has owned a bucket of... Read More
I am always concerned that there are so many books... Read More
Do you do things that you don't want to do?... Read More
I often meet people who say things like, "I've been... Read More
Would you like to learn a skill set and technique... Read More
One of the first things successful people realize is the... Read More
I had the most interesting discussion today with a friend... Read More
Against all odds. I think that should be the motto... Read More
Have you achieved your dreams? Dreams are an important part... Read More
I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More
Question:What is the worst thing you can do when you... Read More
Round about us is an invisible box that we have... Read More
Even for a remarkable business owner like you, from time... Read More
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
Want to know how to run your brain and be... Read More
Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More
I want to wish you good health, long life, success... Read More
"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More
A great life doesn't happen by accident. A great life... Read More
"I have heard it said that the first ingredient of... Read More
One of our most powerful psychological needs is the craving... Read More
We all suffer from procrastination from time to time but... Read More
This whole idea of change is founded on a single... Read More
Self Help is itself a broad category from which to... Read More
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.... Read More
I woke up one morning with a sharp pain in... Read More
The secret to getting started on something when you don't... Read More
I edited and re-edited my article. I had to make... Read More
There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More
Over the years in America and the west generally, the... Read More
Keeping a journal has many advantages and benefits. Whether you... Read More
Many times we fall into a sedentary lifestyle because we... Read More
When was the last time you were asked, what is... Read More
I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More
Have you ever felt stuck?You know the feeling - you're... Read More
1. How do I discover my passion?This is one of... Read More
There is one sure way to get what you want... Read More
Lately, I've become super sensitive to the amount of excuses... Read More
It was a mild October night, weeks after the horrific... Read More
If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More
If you surveyed 50 people asking each their definition of... Read More
All of the books that we will ever need to... Read More
What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More
"M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good... Read More
So I wanted to buy a car. It was a... Read More
I am sitting here at a public access wireless location... Read More
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what... Read More
And what a lack of motivation means..As you read this... Read More
One Saturday morning, a minister could not think of a... Read More
It never fails. Another new year approaches. You watch that... Read More
In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More
Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More
Ever wonder how to stop procrastinating?I was recently talking with... Read More
Expanding your comfort zone isn't quite the same as building... Read More
Listen. If you donīt beat procrastination at work the long... Read More
I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep... Read More
If You Don't ask then You are Already Rejected. Many... Read More
If we want to fill our heads with the doom... Read More
Motivation |