The De-Cluttering Diva

Apparently, spring fever has hit because I have absolutely no idea what to write.

Actually, I have a bunch of ideas but I can’t seem to settle on any one of them.

Has this ever happened to you?

Decision Making 101

Get clear on the number of alternatives you have.  Is this a yes/no decision or are there multiple outcomes (like buying a new car or choosing a place to live)?

Gather information about each alternative.  What do you need to know in order to make an informed decision?

Know when to stop gathering information.  No decision is ever the perfect one.  It can be very difficult to know how much information is enough.  You may want to set deadlines for yourself or figure out which variables of the decision are the most important.  For further discussion of this, click here http://lisasutton.wordpress.com/2007/07/23/analysis-paralysis/

Make a list of pros and cons.  What are the reasons for and against each alternative?

Assign a value to the pros and cons.  Certain variables will be more important than others.  Going back to the new car example (can you guess what I’ve been shopping for?), the pro of having rear side air bags as a safety feature has more value for me than the con of not being able to get the car in a beeeeyoootiful purple colour. 

Or not.  Because getting the car in a blazing purple means that Mr. Diva will be less inclined to want to drive it.  And it’ll be mine.  All mine!!  bwa ha ha.

What does your intuition say?  Are you leaning towards or away from one option even though you can’t quite put your finger on why?  Pay attention to that feeling.

Accept that you make a decision based on what you know now.  Do not allow the potential for new information to keep you from deciding now.  You might never make the decision because there’s always the potential for new information or upgrades or changes or whatever else might happen. 

Oh look!  More shameless self promotion!  Discuss the decision with a neutral party.  Someone who doesn’t have a stake in the decision.  Like….oh, I don’t know…..a coach!  Okay, okay.  Or a friend, or your neighbour or anyone who may have information about the decision that you might not have.

Make your decision and act on it.

Looks as if I made a decision as to what to write in this newsletter.  Yay!  Now that’s off my mind.

Now what am I gonna make for dinner…….