“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”
Tony Robbins
We live very fast and decide what to say, where to work, how to lead and whom to trust – all before lunch. But how often do we pause and ask ourselves from what state am I making this decision?
Decisions shape our lives, careers and even our legacies. The art of decision-making is tricky. We are human after all and we complete tasks with emotions, experiences and sometimes prejudice – which I wrote about last week.
Here’s the kicker: when we make decisions from a place of anger, disappointment, hurt or fear, it can blur the bigger picture. Reacting impulsively or carrying the baggage of past experiences often leads to choices that don’t serve us or people we lead.
Decisions made from a state of peace and groundedness work much better. Think of a clear and calm lake compared to a stormy sea. Where would you swim?
Our emotional state directly impacts:
- Clarity: Emotional turbulence clouds judgment.
- Focus: Angry mind struggles to see long-term outcomes.
- Relationships: Decisions made in anger often damage trust.
Here are three practical tips on how we can make decisions from a grounded, peaceful state:
- Pause and breathe: Before you decide, take a moment to pause. Even a few deep breaths can help you reset and see the situation more clearly.
- Ask yourself: “What’s driving this decision: fear, anger or calmness?”
- Imagine your future self: Would you be proud or regretful about this decision?
We live in a world that wants urgency. This kind of culture encourages quick decisions. Add to it some personal stress, past disappointments and a lot of information and it’s no wonder we sometimes make choices we regret.
Your state of mind matters more than you think.
