What do we do when we face indecision in our lives? How do we weigh up the options? How do we deal with the crossfire of counterexamples in the face of a decision that we've made?
in the 1964 film ‘Oliver’, thief, Vagabond and general ne'er do well, Fagin, is faced with a dilemma. Do I jump ship to pastures greener and a life of untold happiness, or do I stick to my well-trodden path? Here is an exert from the beautifully crafted lyrics that described this quandary
I will own a suite at Claridges,And run a fleet of carriages,And wave at all the duchessesWith friendliness, as much as isBefitting of my new estate..."Good morrow to you, magistrate!" Oh gawd!...I think I'd better think it out again
He goes on to tell himself this current life is the best option and continues down the dreary path to an inevitable end.
We often think that our opportunities are riddled with complexity. We try to pre-empt the pitfalls on every part of that journey to the point where it's just too painful to consider. Often, the problem is not with the end result, it's thinking about the countless drawbacks we will encounter on route.
So how do we deal with this? We could easily take a micro-management approach. We could consider every potential threat, work out ways of clearing the hurdles that detail the ever expanding problem. We will become good at problem solving, and the path may appear a little safer.
However, we may well get stuck in the process, lose our focus on the outcome and become preoccupied with identifying and dealing with any possible potential rabbit holes. The journey may become so overwhelming that we “review the situation” and retreat to a safer more predictable path.
Conversely, we could just “follow our nose”. Just get a feeling that this is a fun path and put one foot in front of the other, not really knowing where we're going and just enjoying the journey. While this is noble and adventurous, outcome is ill defined, we won't know where we going, and we won't know when we've arrived.
In the field of neurolinguistic programming, we have a set of principles that enable after walk through these often-complex scenarios. In its simplest form it is as follows
Know your outcome
When we set a clear goal and direction, we build both confidence and skill on our journey toward achieving our goal. Knowing where you’re headed reduces the chances of getting sidetracked. When outcomes are defined, specific, and positively framed, reaching your destination becomes much simpler.
Take action
Even with a well-defined outcome, action is essential to achieve results. Whatever results you obtain, they will offer valuable insights that you can learn from. So, get on with it!
Have sensory acuity
Being mindful of the impact your actions have on your environment and those around you significantly increases your chances of reaching your goals. By focusing on what you do and its effects on both others and yourself, you gain more control over the outcome. Many people operate on autopilot during tasks, often questioning why the results don’t align with their expectations. This happens because change in behaviour requires awareness of your actions.
Have behavioural flexibility
In cybernetics, an important principle states that within any system, the element with the most flexibility will have the greatest control. This aligns with the NLP presupposition of the law of requisite variety. Being adaptable and inventive increases your ability to influence your surroundings. Simply put, if what you’re doing isn’t working, then do something different.
Operate from a Physiology and psychology of excellence
It’s crucial to stay in the most resourceful state you can. Remember, the mind and body operate as a single system. Your breathing, posture, and overall physical condition influence your thoughts and feelings. Prepare yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally to be at your best before taking action.
By “reviewing our situation” with a little precision and direction, we stand a much better chance of knowing where we're going and having the confidence to take that road less travelled. Over, or under complicating a situation may lead to an outcome that you just don't want. Having a simple but effective framework to guide you through this process is often a useful strategy. Getting to where you want to be is the ultimate goal.
Comments