π‘ The Big Idea
Making Better Decisions
Countless times I've found myself searching out the perfect decision and path to follow. This is especially true in my creator, entrepreneur, and even productivity journeys. I think if I just follow the right advice, make the right choices, I'll avoid all the pitfalls and mistakes.
The desire for a perfect path is deeply human. We're wired to seek out certainty and security, which often leads us to crave the approval and guidance of others. It feels safer, right? If you're standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to turn, it's tempting to ask for directions rather than choosing a path and seeing where it leads.
But here's something I want you to realize: recognizing when the pursuit of perfection is actually holding you back from any progress at all.
I want to share 2 reasons I've had trouble making clear decisions in the past. This is just my experience, but hit reply if it resonates with you.
1. I don't trust myself to make a decision
Trusting ourselves is no small feat. It requires a leap of faith, a belief in our own abilities and judgment. This lack of self-trust can be paralyzing. But here's the thing β making decisions, even the wrong ones, is how we learn and grow. It's through these choices that we discover what really works for us, what aligns with our values, and what leads us toward the life we want to lead.
2. I (subconsciously) want someone to blame when things don't work
t's comforting to think that if we just follow someone else's advice, any failure isn't really our fault. But this mindset robs us of a crucial opportunity for learning and personal development. Every misstep, every setback is a chance to learn something valuable.
As Sonke Ahrens brilliantly puts it in How to Take Smart Notes, the journey to becoming an expert in any field is filled with personal decisions and mistakes.
To be able to become an expert, we need the freedom to make our own decisions and all the necessary mistakes that help us learn. Like bicycling, it can only be learned by doing it.
These mistakes are not just inevitable; they're essential. Like learning to ride a bike, no amount of theoretical knowledge can replace the experience gained from actually getting on the bike, wobbling, falling, and eventually, riding with confidence.
The true value lies in action informed by self-reliance. While expert advice can illuminate the path and guide us, there comes a point when our own actions, informed by personal experience and intuition, lead to greater growth than any external guidance can offer.
Embrace the journey with all its twists and turns. Trust yourself, make decisions, and welcome the lessons each step brings. The path may not be perfect, but it will be uniquely yours.