In this week’s episode of "The ARTwork of YOU with Lori Gouhin," Lori acknowledges the common struggle we all have with decision-making, citing lack of clarity, confusion, and overwhelm as prevalent issues.
From career choices to personal endeavors, decision making can be wrought with fear of making the wrong choice.
Lori discusses how we can find ourselves, opting to remain in our comfort zones despite the discomfort it entails. However, Lori presents an empowering realization: clarity often emerges as a result of making decisions, rather than waiting for it to come before making them.
Lori emphasizes that decision-making is a skill that can be cultivated and refined over time. Her insight and guidance offers the encouragement to navigate the complexities of choice and highlights the power in decision making.
Don't miss this great opportunity to remotivate yourself to make that decision, get uncomfortable, continue to grow, and achieve your goals!
Episode Highlights:
- The common struggle with decision-making
- Fear of making the wrong choice
- Staying stuck in indecision, a common comfort zone
- Empowering realization that clarity often comes after making decisions, not before
- Decision-making is a skill that improves with practice
Thank you for sharing your time with me and remember to show up in your life like the masterpiece you are because YOU are the ARTwork!!!
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[00:00:00] Lori Gouhin: Welcome to the artwork of you, the podcast, where your life is the canvas and you are the masterpiece. I'm your host, Lori Gouin, and together we'll explore creativity, self awareness, mindset, goal strategy, and the importance of accountability so that you can paint your life's portrait. with confidence and ease.
[00:00:22] Lori Gouhin: Remember, in the gallery of life, you're not just a spectator, you are the art. So let's grab our brushes and start creating the masterpiece that is you. Hello, my friends. I am so glad that you are here with me today because today I want to talk about something that I think we all can relate to, and that's our ability and our inability to make decisions.
[00:00:45] Lori Gouhin: I would say that the overwhelming majority of people who come to me for coaching have these things in common, lack of clarity, confusion, overwhelm, and indecision. They spin in this confusion about deciding what their next step should be, what business should they start, what their niche is, what's their purpose.
[00:01:04] Lori Gouhin: What's their passion? Should they buy another course? Should they join another membership? Should they switch jobs? Should they invest in one on one coaching? Should they join group coaching? Should they just keep doing what they're doing, hoping it eventually all clicks? And believe me, I get it because I've been there.
[00:01:21] Lori Gouhin: And as a coach, I feel one of my main responsibilities is to help you make decisions. So let's talk about it. Let me ask you, have you ever found yourself stuck in indecision, spinning in circles while trying to make a choice? As I said, it happens to all of us and understanding why we get stuck and recognizing that indecision itself is a decision can be a game changer in how we approach our choices.
[00:01:43] Lori Gouhin: And what seems to be at the heart of indecision often lies the fear of making the wrong choice. And paralyzing because deep down we worry about the consequences of our decisions. Will I regret this? What if there's a better option that I haven't considered and this fear can keep us in a state [00:02:00] of confusion where doing nothing actually feels safer than possibly making a mistake.
[00:02:05] Lori Gouhin: But here's the kicker. When we choose not to decide, we're still making a decision. We're choosing to stay where we are, even if it's not where we want to be. And many people find a certain comfort in their familiar discomfort. It sounds counterintuitive. I know, but think about it. Staying in a job that doesn't fulfill you or remaining in a challenging relationship.
[00:02:26] Lori Gouhin: We're not taking the steps towards your personal goals can often feel easier than stepping into the unknown. And this comfort zone, while uncomfortable offers a predictable controlled environment where there are fewer unknowns to fear. However, staying stuck in indecision does not have to be your norm.
[00:02:43] Lori Gouhin: And as I said, recognizing that indecision is in itself a decision can be incredibly powering because it shifts the perspective from passivity to activity. Right? You start to see that every moment of inaction is in fact a choice to maintain the status quo. And I understand that many find themselves frozen when they're faced with choices, particularly when clarity seems to be just out of their reach.
[00:03:09] Lori Gouhin: And this fear of making the wrong choice. is often linked to a lack of clarity, because when we're not clear about what we want or the outcome we hope to achieve, making a decision feels like trying to hit a target in the dark and the options might seem overwhelming or the consequences too daunting.
[00:03:26] Lori Gouhin: And this ambiguity can paralyze us, keeping us stuck in our current situations, which while perhaps uncomfortable. Are familiar and predictable. It's a safe space where there are no risks taken and no mistakes are made. However, safety is an illusion in this situation because not moving forward is a decision that often leads to that stagnation and regret that you're actually trying to avoid.
[00:03:50] Lori Gouhin: And so breaking out of this cycle requires recognizing that every moment you remain indecisive, you're choosing to let opportunities pass you by. And so I'll offer you this [00:04:00] empowering thought, and that's that most often the very act of deciding can lead to the clarity that we crave. In other words, the irony is that the clarity often comes after making decisions, not before them.
[00:04:13] Lori Gouhin: And by choosing a path and starting to walk on it. You gather more information and insights, which then in turn help you refine your goals and your desires. It's kind of like driving through the fog. The further you go, the more the road ahead becomes visible. And so how do we break free of this cycle? I would suggest start by accepting that some uncertainty is inevitable and that the perfect clarity.
[00:04:35] Lori Gouhin: is often unattainable before making a decision. Acknowledge the fears and emotions that are influencing you. Are you worried about potential losses or failures? Are you overwhelmed by too many choices? Because identifying these feelings can help you understand what's holding you back and then consider the worst case scenarios realistically.
[00:04:54] Lori Gouhin: Because often they're not as scary as you're imagining. Embrace the idea that making a decision, even a small tentative one is a step towards greater understanding and refinement of your goal. Also, it's helpful to simplify the process by narrowing down your options based on your most fundamental values and your desired outcomes.
[00:05:13] Lori Gouhin: What aligns best with your core intentions? Often this question alone can cut through the noise and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Taking small steps can ease the discomfort of moving out of your comfort zone. You want to change careers, but you're scared to make the leap? Just start by updating your resume or taking a part time course.
[00:05:32] Lori Gouhin: These manageable actions can help build your confidence and reduce the fear associated with bigger decisions. Remember making a decision, any decision is about moving forward. It's about taking control and making deliberate choices about how you want to live your life. Even if the outcome isn't perfect, each choice gives you valuable feedback and experience to make better decisions in the future.
[00:05:54] Lori Gouhin: And remember that decision making is a skill that improves with practice. So the more you [00:06:00] make decisions, the better you become at it. Each choice, each step forward builds your confidence and your ability to discern what works best for you. So take the first step, make a decision, and then watch as the path ahead clears, bringing with it the clarity that seemed so elusive before.
[00:06:17] Lori Gouhin: So in essence, while the journey through indecision can be challenging, embracing the decision making process as an opportunity for clarity and growth can transform the way that you approach not just problems, but life itself. And remember, doing nothing is still choosing. And often it's choosing to give up your power to shape your future.
[00:06:35] Lori Gouhin: So the next time you find yourself stuck, push yourself to decide. You might be surprised how much you learn about your path and yourself along the way. Take a small step, make a choice. It just might lead you to a more fulfilling and engaging life. And I will leave you with this. There is no wrong decision.
[00:06:52] Lori Gouhin: There is only the decision that you make, right? And if you need help with this, you're in the right place. Because as I said, at the beginning of the episode, as a coach, I feel it's my responsibility to help you make decisions and you can find more about working with me by reaching out to me on my new Instagram account at the artwork of you, or you can go to my website.
[00:07:17] Lori Gouhin: That's a wrap for today, my friends. Thank you for sharing your time with me and remember to show up in your life like the masterpiece you are because you are the artwork. Please subscribe and leave a five star review. Have a fabulous day.