Embrace (or not) the “What Ifs”
Have you ever noticed that just prior to someone saying, “what if” they almost always precede it with the word “But?” Quite often, it’s not the what if that gets in our way, it’s that doggone word but that causes us to question our belief in ourselves. We attempt to convince ourselves that we’re employing personal risk management in a decision-making process. What we’re really doing is allowing fear to guide our natural ability to make sound and confident decisions. The word but sets up an immediate mental roadblock which we view as an “off-ramp to safety” which is more likely an exit to our own inaction. Without action nothing changes, and mediocrity becomes our personal life menu’s “special of the day.”
Please understand, I didn’t write this to encourage anyone to utilize the “ready, fire, aim” (check the order) method of making a decision. It’s a flawed choice employed most often under the duress of time frustration which is more commonly known as impatience. That’s when mistakes, sometimes major mistakes, occur. Rushed decisions = undesired outcomes.
Example? In recent years this ready, fire, aim strategy has been forced on many people attempting to purchase a home. With lack of inventory, offer deadlines, and multiple offers all being pushed at the seller, it can be challenging not to let the but, what if’s take over. But…what if we’re not the highest bidder…what if we’re up against a cash buyer…what if they won’t allow an inspection. The most successful strategy for a decision like this is to anticipate the obvious what if’s based on researching recent history and have a path forward ready to be executed, OR a level of comfort with finding a different path to walk down than the one currently right in front of you.
Did you notice when I mentioned “researching recent history” in the paragraph above? There are a plethora of research/review sites available to anyone who chooses to seek help in their decision making. Whether buying a home, buying a new/used vehicle, wanting to work from home, starting a business, finding a good match for an attorney, banker, insurance rep, doctor, dentist, accountant, consultant, daycare, therapist, and more, help is at your fingertips. THAT’S how you embrace the what if’s and eliminate any worries one by one from delaying a well-thought-out decision.
Research is also the way that you remove emotions from your decision making. Emotions have proven over time that they either force a rushed decision or prevent us from making any decision at all. Emotions many times are our personal excuse to kick the can down the road which results in never taking action (picture being stuck in mud up to your waist and being unable to move). Remember the old mind challenge: Seven birds are on a telephone line. Two decide to fly away. How many are left? Five, right? Wrong. The correct answer is seven because the two only decided to fly away…they never took action on their decision. Have you ever made a decision that you had great intentions on carrying out but never took any action on? Yeah, me too.
We all have a “what if sweet spot” where we’ve embraced enough what if’s to move forward, and eliminated the need to let additional what if’s act as an anchor holding us in place and preventing us from taking action on the decision. It’s fine to acknowledge that the sweet spot is different and unique to all of us. I can’t tell you where your sweet spot is nor show you how to get there. I CAN share with you that it’s critically important that you invest dedicated time in discovering where your “what if sweet spot” is. It will serve you well the rest of your life with decisions that you’ll face that will be both important and impactful for you and the people you love and care about.
Wanna achieve consistent success and happiness in life? Become an expert at knowing when to effectively utilize the positive power of “what if” and/or when you need to sink that ship of perceived safety. Believe in yourself and your abilities and eliminate using the word “but” in front of your “what if’s.” “What if’s” can stand just fine on their own. While it takes practice to become an expert at anything, mastering the positive power of “what if” can become one of your most powerful life tools. Hey…I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!