“I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m stuck, which way should I turn?”
“I’m procrastinating because I don’t know what will bite me.”
This happens all the time to everyone in their life. EVERYONE.
Unfortunately, most people are paranoid of everything falling apart or failing IF
they make a critical decision.
When I work with clients (who range from CEO’s to Solopreneurs), I help them
understand there are only three (or four) scenarios:
1. Things will get better. (sometimes much better)
2. Things will stay the same.
3. Things will get worse.
4. The world will veer from it’s axis, plunge into the sun, and we will all
die.
I usually then say — If you make a decision and you use my model, 2 of the 3
choices are either good or average. One is bad.
I don’t know about you, but I like the odds (2 out of 3).
Most people focus on #3 — the bad (or worse). All the time.
To increase your chances of hitting the upper end of the curve or lessening the
lower end, try to mitigate certain unknowns.
Here’s a typical example:
Apple launched a new iPad into the marketplace back in March. Management
at Apple had three scenarios when developing/launching the iPad:
1. It either will be a hit and sell more than the iPad 1.
2. It will match the sales of the iPad 1.
3. Due to increase competition, or other factors, it will sell less than the
iPad 1.
Steve Jobs, Jonathan Ive and a host of other Apple troops were out in force
mitigating the last scenario. The iPad2 was a success.
They’ve done their market testing. They’ve surveyed the marketplace.
They’ve got info on their competition and a host of other mitigating behaviors.
They’ve done their homework.
Most of the time, your homework is to sit down and clearly think about the
results of your decision. Understand most (not all) of the permutations – what
might happen. And develop alternatives if things go awry. But also think about the
positive and average scenarios too. Doing this will make it easier.
Shameless Plug:
If you have financial difficulties, speaking with a qualified professional is the way
to go. They will take all the emotion out of your decision and help you look at
your options factually and in a bright light. My friend George Weber helps you do
this.
And then make a decision. “Lose your sleep before your decision, not after it.”
By Rich Gee at www.richgee.com
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m stuck, which way should I turn?”
“I’m procrastinating because I don’t know what will bite me.”
This happens all the time to everyone in their life. EVERYONE.
Unfortunately, most people are paranoid of everything falling apart or failing IF they make a critical decision.
When I work with clients (who range from CEO’s to Solopreneurs), I help them understand there are only three (or four) scenarios:
- Things will get better. (sometimes much better)
- Things will stay the same.
- Things will get worse.
- The world will veer from it’s axis, plunge into the sun, and we will all die.
I usually then say — If you make a decision and you use my model, 2 of the 3 choices are either good or average. One is bad.
I don’t know about you, but I like the odds (2 out of 3). Most people focus on #3 — the bad (or worse). All the time.
To increase your chances of hitting the upper end of the curve or lessening the lower end, try to mitigate certain unknowns.
Here’s a typical example: Apple launched a new iPad into the marketplace back in March. Management at Apple had three scenarios when developing/launching the iPad:
- It either will be a hit and sell more than the iPad 1.
- It will match the sales of the iPad 1.
- Due to increase competition, or other factors, it will sell less than the iPad 1.
Steve Jobs, Jonathan Ive and a host of other Apple troops were out in force mitigating the last scenario. The iPad2 was a success.
They’ve done their market testing. They’ve surveyed the marketplace. They’ve got info on their competition and a host of other mitigating behaviors. They’ve done their homework.
Most of the time, your homework is to sit down and clearly think about the results of your decision. Understand most (not all) of the permutations – what might happen. And develop alternatives if things go awry. But also think about the positive and average scenarios too. Doing this will make it easier.
Shameless Plug: If you have financial difficulties, speaking with a qualified professional is the way to go. They will take all the emotion out of your decision and help you look at your options factually and in a bright light. My friend George Weber helps you do this.
And then make a decision. “Lose your sleep before your decision, not after it.”
