Published monthly by Sharon Eakes, Hope Unlimited, LLC
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FOCUS: Decision Making
Disciplines: Mental Models, Personal Mastery, Systems Thinking

"No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently." Agnes de Mille

THOUGHTS:

Big decisions are sometimes easy and sometimes agonizingly difficult!
I am comforted by research proving that in addition to the brain in our head, we have brain cells in both our heart and our gut to help us make decisions. These multiple brains work on our decisions not only when we're focused on them, but also when we're goofing off and when we're asleep.

COACHING TIPS:

Here are 4 sure-fire, slightly unusual methods for use in any decision-making process. They'll help you decide how to handle a sticky situation at home or at work, whether or not to make a commitment - to a person, a project or an investment - or what kind of vacation to take.

1) Use Herrmann's whole brain model to make sure you're looking at the choices from different thinking perspectives. Walk around the four quadrants by asking these questions:
a. Do I have all the facts?
b. Will I be in control?
c. How will this decision affect others?
d. Have I seen all the hidden possibilities?

2) When you're deciding between 2 options, spend time imagining in vivid detail that you've committed to choice A. Notice the thoughts you have and how you feel. Are you happy? Relieved? Tense? Sad? Then switch and imagine vividly that you have committed to choice B. Ask the same questions. Go back and forth several times and the decision will often make itself.

3) Ask yourself, "What do I want? What do I really, really want? And what do I NOT want?" We often try to make decisions on the merits of the options without being absolutely clear first about what we want.

4) If you are having trouble making a decision, just before you go to sleep, give it to your subconscious to work on while you sleep. Don't be surprised when a dream provides clear direction or you wake up with the decision made.

NOTE:
Hal's hip is repairing nicely and he'll be walking unaided before long. Thanks to all of you who have sent healing vibes and have inquired about him.

There's no telegathering this month because we're taking a vacation!
Reach me: 1-888-907-HOPE(4673)or e-mail sharon@hopellc.com. I am a personal and executive coach and would be happy to offer you a complimentary coaching session by phone.

Each month FRESH VIEWS focuses on a single topic, relates it to one of the five disciplines of a learning community, and offers a coaching tip and a follow-up telegathering. Please forward it to friends and colleagues. My purpose in writing FRESH VIEWS is to nurture, prod and encourage readers to think and talk about these topics with their families, friends and colleagues. Mine is only one view. Multiple conversations may deliver us to insights only hinted at here. Such a process sustains the vitality of learning relationships, learning families, learning organizations and learning communities.