Today, at the Founder’s Corner, we’re focusing on how to make better decisions when we find ourselves at the crossroads of goal setting. This can be a tough, and often overwhelming space to be in. But keep reading because I’m sharing 3 clarifying questions you can ask yourself when you’re at a crossroads and need some help with the decision-making process!
But first…
The Founder’s Corner posts are based on previous segments from our weekly newsletter. So if you want this type of content first, check out the link at the end of this post!
Now, let’s dive into today’s post!
Goal Setting and the Decision-Making Process
In the spirit of the New Year and the task of setting goals for yourself, I wanted to touch on something that is sometimes overlooked in this season.
During the goal-setting process, more often than not, we are faced with some daunting crossroads. So what do you do when a potential goal brings you to a fork in the road? What tools do you use when you get to these crossroads and you are unsure of which path to take?
The tricky thing about a goal with different outcomes is, how do you pick up speed to accomplish the goal if you don’t know the destination?
Now, it feels like so far it’s just been a series of questions. Which is quite fitting since my strategy for making a decision at a fork in the road is to ask myself three clarifying questions…
But more on that later!
First, let’s look at some tools for making big decisions.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
Albert Einstein
Inevitably, when you face a fork in the road you might also be faced with a big decision. Whether that’s to start a podcast, or not? To leave your job, or not? To start a business, or not? To get married, start a family, move countries… the list goes on!
So where do you start?
Tony Robbins laid out Four Rules for decision-making, which include:
- Write it down
- Get clear about your feelings
- Let go of fear
- Recognize your values
This strategy has worked wonders when making big decisions. Once you become clear on the obstacle/opportunity in front of you and know what you value, you can move past the fear and take the right road for YOU!
Read more on that here.
So to get even more clear on which path to take, let’s dive into those three clarifying questions to help you make a decision when you are faced with the fork in the road.
Goal Setting: 3 Clarifying Questions For When You are Faced with the Fork in the Road
1. Where in your life do you desire something more?
In which area of your life, business, podcast, wellness, etc. are you constantly craving something better? Something more than what you’ve achieved thus far?
This is a strong indication that it’s time to make a change and to pivot towards that new desire.
Whether this is changing up the format of your podcast, spending more time writing, or even focusing on building your personal brand – there are always new opportunities for “more”!
2. What truth are you ignoring?
If you’re standing at the crossroads there is always something that led you there to begin with. So what are you avoiding looking at because it’s too hard or uncomfortable to deal with? What is your inconvenient truth?
This can be as simple as a marketing strategy that isn’t working, or a sponsor partnership that is no longer aligned. Or it can be as life-changing as knowing when to call it quits or when it’s time to do a complete overhaul of your podcast or your personal brand.
Whether you’re starting over or starting something new, it’s scary and disruptive for your comfort zone, either way. But once you’ve nailed down the truth and faced it head-on, your path forward becomes so much clearer and you can make the best decision for yourself.
3. What do you need to let go of?
Now that you know where you want to go and what you need to change, it’s time to take a closer look at your habits, strategies, and activities and to get brutally honest. Which do you want to change? And what do you need to let go of in order to move forward?
I read today that “if you want to be the noun, first do the verb” (a poetic message by Austin Kleon here).
This absolutely hit home for me!
If you want to be a podcaster, record podcast episodes. If you want to be a writer, then spend time writing! It’s time to let go of what you’re trying to “be” and focus on actually doing the work to get there.
All this said, there are two important things to remember when you hit that fork in the road:
Takeaway Points for How to Make Better Decisions…
► One: There is no right or wrong answer. Make sure to gather as much information to make the best decision for YOU!
► Two: Nothing is set in stone. Make a decision, test it out, re-evaluate, and pivot if necessary.
The Founder’s Corner posts are based on a segment of our weekly newsletter.
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