Over the past fortnight I have done something I’ve not done in a very long time; I watched a ton of TV. I have watched all 4 series of The Good Place and I cried at the end. If you haven’t seen it then I highly recommend it for the comedy but also for the philosophy and ethics aspect of it. Parts of it definitely made me think. The character “Chidi Anagonye” (a professor of ethics and moral philosophy) found making decisions a real challenge. It meant he missed out on “life” because he was so caught up with the process of deciding. This reminded me of conversations I have had with my clients about making decisions and how to do it.
Making decisions can cause great stress as it requires us to commit to a certain path. Depending on where your mindset is at, this can lead to negative feelings around self-worth and ability plus the age-old thought that many of us experience: “What will people think of me? Will they still like me?”
The ego/primitive brain can see the decision-making process as a life or death situation depending on the level of stress hormones released. This can lead to you experiencing procrastination, overwhelm or any of those fabulous self-sabotaging techniques.
Remember: the ego/primitive brain wants repetition, certainty, predictability and if definitely doesn’t want change (even if that change could male life better). It doesn’t want you to be happy and thriving; it just wants things to stay the same.
I am sure you have all met someone like the character Chidi Anagonye (from The Good Place), who is sometimes paralysed by the decision-making process – you may even be that person. The inability to make the decision created huge stress for this character but also an opportunity to metaphorically beat himself up.
So what can you do if making decisions challenging for a part of you?
- Breathe – abdominal breathing stimulates the Vagus nerve and so instigates the relaxation response.
- Write a pros and cons list.
- Talk it out with someone.
- Find someone who has made the decision previously and look at the “evidence” of what happened to them.
- Fast forward six months and imagine how it will feel and what life/business will look like having made the decision.
- Meditate on the actual question/decision.
- And last, but most importantly, thank your ego/primitive brain for trying to keep you safe from the perceived “life or death” situation. This can be the trickiest option for some of us but rather than berating yourself why not try something different?
If decision making is challenging for you, and you would like to try something different, why not come and join my free Facebook community – The Life and Business Mindset Revolution – where, over 3 days (Tuesday 13th July to Thursday 15th July), there will be the opportunity to try different types of meditation to aide the decision making process. Click on the link click on this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/2627816230787757/ to join us and have access to the details for the live meditations and the recordings.
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x