How to Choose – A Global, Local, Personal approach
I just need time to think, I cant think straight!
How often have you put off decisions, changes or things you care about doing because you don’t have time? How often have you felt frustrated about wasting time because you haven’t had the headspace to do what you really want or need to do?
Often procrastination is blamed but I have another, maybe more controversial view. You haven’t yet made a good choice.
A wholehearted choice, to protect time and create space to think and take action, on that thing you really want and need to work on guarantees momentum.
Framing
So, the first step is to get clear about what we are making a decision about, to ‘frame’ the problem and create good quality options. In design-thinking practices we might call this a challenge statement and its useful to borrow the approach. I sometimes call it the ‘big question’ and apply to personal or team challenges. The statement ‘I need more time’ is too vague.
“How might I create time, to make focused progress towards my clear goal, within 2 weeks?”
This statement feels curious and exciting, the emphasis is moved away from despair and towards exploration. Journalling on the question, will also provide some choice options.
How to choose – a Global, Local, Personal approach
When face with trying to make a good choice, I start by revisiting what matters to me. Your version of this might be your values, the people and things you care about, how you feel or how you want your day to look.
Putting aside the big question and the options for a moment, I would suggest doing a 10 min timed reflection on what matters to you globally (big picture stuff) locally (daily stuff, people/things close to you) and personally (feelings, motivation, safety- the inside you stuff). This can be done individually or with teams.
This ‘what matters’ reflection might be:
A journal page split into 3 and filled with words
A bullet point list
A recording of free-flowing thoughts around the headings on your phone
A mood board or an image/phrase that represents what matters to you
Then revisit your options, ideally looking at the option written down next to your ‘what matters’ reflection. You could also record yourself explaining each option and play it back whilst thinking about what matters to you.
Feel your choice
You might ‘feel’ whats right or you might need to ask yourself the question- does this option get me closer to, or further away from what matters to me? Notice your breath- a sigh can be a sign.
For me, enjoying this process is part of the decision making and allows me to get close to and feel more certain about my choice. I hope that you too will be able to discover exactly what you need through this process.
More?
I’ve created a nurturing and practice-based retreat offering space, community and creativity to guide you through design-thinking practices and discover solutions to your chosen challenge. Interested? Find out more here
