DECIDE TO Decide

DECIDE TO

Decide

Clutter is often the result of delayed decisions. We can’t decide whether to keep something or toss it, so we keep it. It doesn’t have a designated home, so we put it “over here for now.” “Now” turns into “forever” because we never actually decide where it should go. Deciding requires us to stop (or at least slow down), think, and consciously choose a course of action. That can seem too overwhelming, so we just don’t do it.

Some decisions can be made quickly and almost automatically, but others may require a bit more time and attention. For the major decisions, and for smaller ones that may need more consideration, there is a process we can follow, especially when we’re faced with so many options that we don’t know what to do or where to turn. We can learn how to make a decision.

FIRST, Breathe

Taking in oxygen fuels the brain so we can think clearly. Close your eyes and focus on inhaling deeply and then exhaling completely. Repeat until your heart stops racing, your shoulders relax, and your brain doesn’t feel like a nuclear reactor.

Second, gather only as much information as you need in order to feel informed and comfortable enough to make a choice. Ask for advice from people you trust.

  • Who has experience in a certain area?
  • Who is a professional or expert in the field?
  • Do a little bit of research, but don’t overdo it.

Try not to get bogged down in every tiny detail.

Next, make a list of possible options, even if they sound totally crazy. For instance, if you’re faced with a room that’s packed to the rafters with stuff, one option is to just throw it all out the window.

Then weigh the Pros and Cons of each option. What are the criteria you need so you can make a choice? What do you gain from each option? What are the risks & rewards? Play “WIFM radio” and ask yourself, “What’s in it for me?” Who else is affected? Channel your inner Mr. Spock and be logical. See the decision from different angles, but don’t over-think it. Trust your gut (often called the second brain).

"A little time and distance can help with making a decision.
Take a walk. Go for a drive.
Think in the shower. Sleep on it"

Make a choice and own the outcome. It’s OK if you feel scared. Do it scared.

Forgive yourself if it didn’t turn out how you expected. Now you can move ahead with more information and make the next decision. No matter what, you’re still moving in a forward direction. One of my favorite anecdotes is about Thomas Edison. When asked if he was disheartened because he hadn’t yet invented the light bulb, he replied, “No. Now I know what doesn’t work.” Needless to say, he kept trying something new and making informed decisions until he ultimately succeeded.

author

Gayle M. Gruenberg

Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD® is the Chief Executive Organizer of Let’s Get Organized, LLC, an award-winning professional organizing firm based in Bergen County, New Jersey. Gayle is the creator of the Make Space for Blessings™ system. LGO works with busy families to help them find more time, space, money, and energy and connect their lives to their core values through being organized.