It’s been quite a week of client meetings, workshops and presentations.   Have observed how many people hesitate to make a decision or take action.  What has come to the surface is this – often times, decisions are not made because of fear the decision cannot be undone/updated or corrected.

This prompted me to write about “deciding when to decide”.  Firstly, not making a decision is in fact making a decision!  Deciding not to move forward to finalize a will, a trust, health care directives, or establishing guardianship documents / selecting Powers of Attorney is making the decision to allow the courts to decide for you.  Deciding to select someone to act on your behalf today, doesn’t mean this is forever – what is decided today may be updated or changed.

There was an article in Harvard Business Review March, 2015 entitled “Avoiding Decision Paralysis in the Face of Uncertainty”.  In this article, it is mentioned that any leader facing high levels of ambiguity needs to do two apparently paradoxical things:  1) get comfortable with the idea of not having all the answers and 2) take steps to reduce the uncertainty.

How does one get comfortable with the unknown?  People who come through uncertain situations are able to make sense of pitfalls within uncertain contexts and avoid big problems.  This lets them take action while recognizing that variables are changing and adjustments may be needed if their assumptions prove incorrect. When you face dilemmas calmly using a balance of information and instinct, you make better decisions that fit the changing conditions.

Is it possible to reduce uncertainty?  Is any one way the only way?  This is a question to consider the various approaches to any situation.  Brainstorming with others allows you to surface various perspectives.  Are there small steps you may begin to reduce one BIG decision into smaller segments?

Do you have all the information you need?  Information and conditions impact action.  To date, I’ve not ever experienced having every piece of information possible, nor have I experienced the perfect conditions to execute plans.  If you take smaller incremental steps, you allow new information to form as you take the next steps.

Deciding when to decide takes courage.  It may be helpful to think of past successes, patterns, or seek out information from others who have taken the action you wish to take.  Whenever you hesitate, catch yourself and ask why?  Ask is there additional information I need?  Ask, is there someone I know who can help me?  If you take the initiative to manage uncertainty, you just may form a new habit and level up your life skills!

Contingency planning at home and work benefits people in measurable and profound ways. The Living Planner supports proactive resources and comprehensive business and individual/family contingency planning.

Many thanks for the opportunity to be a part of your lives.  Contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner  #CareForPeopleCareForBusiness

–Lynn