The past as counselor
for courageous choices
Bold choices
When you look back, the difficult choices often turn out to be choices you are most proud of. At the same time, you often experience discomfort in the moment with a lot of stress and uncertainty. These are exactly the circumstances in which you need to make a bold choice. Your brain would rather try to avoid that feeling because it has no control over the outcome. But what happens when the situation calls for a leap of faith?
Choices with impact
Each choice is unique, but the emotions behind it are often similar. Therein lies the answer. It is this recognition that helps you move forward. How you have dealt with impactful choices in the past provides valuable clues for the choices of now. You draw from your own experience.
Are you facing a complex choice? Then go through these steps to get a better handle on the uncomfortable feeling that comes with it.
Identify the choice
A challenging situation often involves a lot of information coming together, sometimes even with contradictions. The first step is to get clear on exactly what the choice is about. Dissect the situation and play through scenarios. You may be tempted to wait and see, but not making a choice is also a choice. What feels prudent may turn out to be risky in the end. By actively choosing, you keep more control than if you let it happen.
Explore bold choices from the past
Think back to a choice that you now look back on with enthusiasm. What was the lead-up to that choice like? What steps did you take? By dissecting that process, you’ll discover patterns you can use now, too. Perhaps you sought advice at the time, visualized scenarios, took time or sought distance. The approach that worked then may give you new direction now.
Shedding and weighing
Compare the choice you are considering now with previous choices you are proud of. What similarities do you see? What traits allowed you to grow then? Recognizing patterns makes something that feels chaotic more manageable. This allows you to better substantiate assumptions and hypotheses form on which you can build further. In this way you not only engage your critical thinking skills, but you also get a more confident feeling about the new choice. More certainty over uncertainty, in other words.
Clarifying barriers
Rose-colored glasses obscure secondary consequences. When looking back on successful choices, don’t just look at what went well. What risks did you take at the time? What mistakes did you make along the way? How much luck might have been involved? This does not diminish your pride, but paints a more realistic picture. That very thing will help you sharply assess the current choice.
Applying lessons
By better understanding past courageous choices, you are better equipped to make new ones. The past offers no guarantees, but it does show you when you acted courageously and why it worked. If you also learn from the “mistakes,” then you are already making gains!
Softening the uncomfortable
A “leap of faith” sounds like jumping blind. Actually, it’s mostly about the fact that no one can predict the future. As a result, a choice never feels completely certain. By taking charge of what you can influence, you ease the discomfort. You increase your control and strengthen your personal leadership.
