When you have to make a decision, is there a right answer?
When you add two numbers together, the answer is consistent. The answers are always the same.
2 + 2 = 4
5 + 6 = 11
3 + 3 = 6
The answers are always the same: 4, 11 and 6.
When you have to decide between two job offers; taking a night class or not taking a night class; deciding if you should cut your hair or keep it long, is there a right answer?
I would answer, no. A big fat no.
There is no right answer.
You just have to decide what you want, and then act.
Make up your mind to act decidedly and take the consequences. No good is ever done in this world by hesitation.
Thomas Huxley
All my life, whenever it comes time to make a decision, I make it and forget about it.
Harry S. Truman
The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.
Maimonides
Don’t I sound like I know it all. Ha, I just quoted three famous people to you, Huxley wants us to “Make up your mind. Act decidedly. Take the consequences. Don’t Hesitate. ” Truman just makes a decision and forgets about it. And Maimonides, says indecision can be a terror.
I have never behaved like these three men.
I have never just made up my mind. I always hesitate, and I constantly think I have made the wrong decision. I live in the terror of indecision.
Okay, I did make up my mind once. I decided to not cut my hair, and I decided to not color it. Well, twice.
It is hard to make up your mind if you attach a good or a bad value to decisions.
Often decisions are not good or bad. There is not always a right answer.
The decision you make may have different consequences, but there is not always a value attached.
For example; if I cut my hair I may have to use hair clips to keep the hair out of my eyes, and if I color my hair, perhaps the nurses at the hospital won’t mistake me for my children’s grandmother. The choices are not good or not, just different.
I also attach my worth to the decisions I make. If the choice I make is bad, then I am bad. If the choice I make is good, than I am good. But, I know better. I know my value comes from He who made me, not from the choices I make.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14
It is hard to make a decision when you are trying to be perfect. And you will never be perfect.
Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Are you trying so hard to be perfect that you are self-destructive? Are you trying for an unattainable goal?
Make the best decision you can with the information you have in front of you today. Tomorrow you may find out some new information, but today make the best decision you can.
Today I will make a decision.
I will eat sardines for supper instead of chicken. I made up my mind quickly and without hesitation. Tomorrow I will make up my mind quickly about what I should eat for breakfast.
What about you? Are you trying to make a perfect decision?
What will you eat for dinner tonight? Breakfast tomorrow?
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