Category Archives: Decisions

Don’t discount the past

Posted on by
Reply

Don’t discount the past. There is no such thing as a wrong turn or a dead end. Each step along the way has brought you to this very moment.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Hadija

Don’t discount the past — each moment, every twist (and even detours) have shaped the person you are today.

There are no wrong turns or dead ends if each experience teaches, strengthens, and deepens understanding.

Rather than regretting decisions or wishing for a different path, honor the journey that brought you here.

Challenges, successes, and failures all offer wisdom and growth, weaving together the unique story only you can share.

Embrace your past with gratitude, knowing it has prepared you for all that lies ahead.

This very moment is the sum of every step taken, a testament to resilience and self-discovery.

Move forward with confidence, trusting that your story is unfolding just as it should.

EXERCISE:

Explore The Power of Regret by Dan Pink to embrace and understand how regrets from the past can help you make smarter choices, perform better, and live a more meaningful life.

Friday Review: Decisions

Posted on by
Reply

Friday Review: Decisions

What decisions have you made so far in 2025, or are you planning for 2026? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

Decide to decide and then take the leap. You will land on your feet more than you think.

 

 

 

 

“Play the tiles you get.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong, and the other person is right. It means you value your relationship more than your ego.”

 

 

 

 

 

At crossroad moments consider which response will best produce the outcomes you desire

Posted on by
Reply

At crossroad moments consider which response will best produce the outcomes you desire.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Mike Enerio

Life is full of crossroads — moments when our choices shape our futures.

When standing before a big decision, pause and ask yourself: Which response will lead me closer to the outcome I truly desire?

Instead of acting on impulse or fear, step back, envision your goals, and let them guide you.

Sometimes, the brightest path isn’t the easiest or most obvious one, but the one that aligns best with your deepest aspirations. You have the power to choose not just your direction, but your attitude, as well.

Approach each crossroad with hope, clarity, and intention. Take a breath, trust yourself, and boldly choose the response that moves you toward the life you want.

EXERCISE:

Map your options using the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize choices by urgency and importance.

This tool helps highlights which responses are most aligned with your goals and which are distractions, guiding clearer and more impactful decisions.

If wisdom is understanding the long-term consequences of your actions

Posted on by
Reply

“If wisdom is understanding the long-term consequences of your actions, judgement is applying that wisdom to make better decisions. Judgement, in effect, is applied wisdom.”

—Rohan Rajiv, Author of A Learning a Day Blog

Image from Unsplash by Kyle Glenn

Wisdom and judgement work hand-in-hand, shaping the way we live and lead.

Wisdom is more than knowledge — it’s the ability to see beyond the moment and understand the long-term consequences of our choices.

But wisdom alone is not enough.

Without judgement, it remains theory, a quiet voice never acted upon.

Judgement is wisdom in motion — the daily practice of applying insight to decisions both big and small.

It prevents us from repeating mistakes and guides us toward actions that align with our values and goals.

When we cultivate judgement, we turn awareness into impact.

True growth comes not from simply knowing what is right, but from consistently choosing to act on that wisdom.

EXERCISE:

Value check your decisions today to determine how well your choices align with you values and long-term goals.

Applying this practice daily will decidedly impact the way you live and lead.

 

Learning to ask the right questions

Posted on by

Learning to ask yourself and others the right questions is useful in many ways. Using “what” before “why” is a great place to start.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Vadim Bogulov

Learning to ask yourself and others the right questions is a powerful skill that can transform your thinking, relationships, and problem-solving abilities.

One effective approach is to start with “what” questions before jumping to “why.”

Asking What happened? or What can I do differently? encourages open-minded exploration and practical solutions.

“Why” questions, while sometimes useful, can feel accusatory or lead to defensiveness.

“What” questions, on the other hand, foster curiosity and clarity, helping you understand situations more deeply and objectively. Whether you’re reflecting on your own actions or working with a team, starting with “What” sets a constructive tone for growth and progress.

EXERCISE:

How can asking better questions improve your relationships and decision-making skills? How would mastering the art of questioning unlock new opportunities and insights in your life?

Two of my favorite books on this subject are “A More Beautiful Question” by Warren Berger, and “The Coaching Habit” by Michael Bungay Stanier.

When you find yourself at a fork in the road

Posted on by

When you find yourself at a fork in the road, do you decide or slide?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Caleb Jones

Today’s quote prompts us to reflect on our decision-making processes.

In life, we often encounter moments in which choices must be made. Deciding involves taking control, weighing options, and moving forward with intention.

Sliding, on the other hand, can lead to missed opportunities and regret by mindlessly staying the course we happen to be on.

Embracing decision-making empowers us to shape our futures and grow from our experiences.

By choosing to decide, we assert our agency and move closer to our goals, fostering personal growth and fulfillment.

Our choices define our journey.

EXERCISE:

Where are you at a critical juncture in your life?

Where can intentional decision making versus passively drifting through life’s choices make all the difference?

“Never make a big decision without sleeping on it.”

Posted on by

“Never make a big decision without sleeping on it.”

—Martha Stewart, TV personality, entrepreneur, author, and businesswoman

Image from Unsplash by Sabri Tuzcu

When faced with a big decision, it’s tempting to act impulsively.

However, taking a step back and sleeping on it can be incredibly beneficial.

A night’s rest allows emotions to settle and rational thinking to prevail. This pause gives us time to reflect on potential outcomes and consider different perspectives.

This simple practice can lead to greater clarity and confidence in our choices, ultimately guiding us to more fulfilling and successful lives.

EXERCISE:

Two books that can help you make better personal and professional decisions, especially with a good night’s sleep are:

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Decisive: How to make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip and Dan Heath

Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions

Posted on by

“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.”

—Barbara Hemphill, author of Less Clutter More Life

Image from Unsplash by Tomas Yates

How do you feel about clutter?

Where do you see clutter in your world? What impact does it have on your general mood and attitude?

The idea of clutter being postponed decisions piqued my curiosity and caused me to take a deeper dive into my desires or aversions to tidying up.

Since I enjoy cooking I decided to de-clutter my fridge.

Checking and using only the freshest ingredients raised my spirits knowing that I was deciding to serve tasty, quality dishes to those I love.

EXERCISE:

Where are you experiencing clutter in your life?

What decisions can you make and what actions can and will you take to bring greater order and peace of mind to your world?

I think about decision in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos

Posted on by

“I think about decision in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos.”

—James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

I first learned about today’s quote from a fellow blogger named Stephen St. Amant, whose work at savenwood.com is brilliant! I highly recommend adding his blog to your list of daily reading.

James’ post reads:

“I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos:

Most decisions are like hats. Try one and if you don’t like it, put it back and try another. The cost of a mistake is low, so move quickly and try a bunch of hats.

Some decisions are like haircuts. You can fix a bad one, but it won’t be quick and you might feel foolish for a while. That said, don’t be scared of a bad haircut. Trying something new is usually a risk worth taking. If it doesn’t work out, by this time next year you will have moved on and so will everyone else.

A few decisions are like tattoos. Once you make them, you have to live with them. Some mistakes are irreversible. Maybe you’ll move on for a moment, but then you’ll glance in the mirror and be reminded of that choice all over again. Even years later, the decision leaves a mark. When you’re dealing with an irreversible choice, move slowly and think carefully.”

EXERCISE:

What is the right amount of time and energy to allocate to your hat, haircut, and tattoo decisions?

Where are you acting too slowly or too quickly given the potential down side of being wrong?

The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all

Posted on by

“The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all.”

—Tzvi Freeman, Canadian Rabbit and Author

Image from Unsplash by Joe Woods

Over the years, I’ve frequently discussed the value of making important decisions with our head, heart, and gut.

Approaching the anatomy of this, we can note how the head is above the heart and gut with our all-important neck in-between.

Our necks give our heads the ability to be above it all and turn from one path to another when the ones we are on are leading us astray.

EXERCISE:

What areas of your life are filled with others trying to bring you down?

How are these people operating in ways that go against your values and beliefs?

In what ways can you remain above it all to clearly see where to turn and how to proceed?