This week's article is especially aimed at all readers and clients who tell me, I have so many ideas, there are so many things that I like that I don't know which one to choose. This can be applied both to deciding what to do professionally, how to deciding what idea to turn into a business or what strategies to use if you allow yourself to be attracted by any novelty that arises.
If you include yourself in that category you probably have the belief, as I spoke on another occasion, that we are all born with a vocation and until you find yours you will not be happy because it is not normal that you like so many things and what happens if you choose one and you are wrong and you regret it all your life. It is that you are immature and it is time to settle down. So, followed, as is; So I'm going to start with two points. In the first place, there are people who are very clear about their vocation since the beginning of time (myself, and look where I am now) and there are people who do not. Both cases are normal and fine, there is nothing wrong with either option. Second, stop comparing yourself to those who are clear about what they want and focus on yourself, what can you do about it? How to decide what to do,what option to choose or what type of business to start? I have already said several times that comparing yourself to others does not usually benefit you at all and keeps you just as paralyzed or more.
Other than that, what can you do to get out of that situation? To start with, three things. The first thing I recommend is to write all the ideas you have on paper, because until you are clear about the chaos in your head you will not be able to have a strategy. As one of my mentors, Marie Forleo, says, "Inner chaos, creates outer chaos", or what is the same, the chaos inside you creates chaos outside. So putting what is on your mind on paper is always a good idea. Once you have everything in writing, review each option and think carefully:
- What exactly does that option imply? What are the advantages and disadvantages? If it is a professional decision or a type of business, also consider what kind of life you would lead and, most importantly, would it fit with the type of life you want?
These questions are essential to take the first step because you rarely stop to think about the repercussions of each option, what they would really imply. To give an example, the idea of spending a year traveling the world on a sailboat may seem like a dream come true, but when you think about what it implies, you realize that you do not want to be separated from your family for so long or so much time at sea. Or maybe you are attracted to the idea of a position of great responsibility, but when you think about it, you realize that you value your free time and you do not want to spend many hours working or have many people in your charge. Or you consider using a certain social network and every time you think about it, you are less attracted by what it entails… Each person is a world and what for some is a dream for others can be a nightmare.So stop and analyze the implications well.
The second thing you can do is stop thinking. It is fine to analyze options but, as I always say, a lot of analysis produces paralysis. Thinking you can only get to a certain point and from there you only have one thing left… Test. Try something to see if you like it or not. It does not have to be something radical, you can put a finger in the water before jumping into the pool. For example, you can talk to someone who is dedicated to that, you can work as a volunteer or an internship for a while. Your biggest obstacle now is the excuse and laziness, but to make changes you have to do things, if you sit there thinking you are not going to get anything, you have to try what you want, and if you do not feel like trying, you better consider another thing because when you really want something you do whatever it takes to get it.
Finally, the third recommendation is: make a decision now. I know it's not easy, of course not, but what alternatives do you have? Keep thinking about something you don't know how to fix? Decide on something, try and if it works continue with it and if not, correct it. I want you to stay with this phrase: "Successful people make decisions quickly and if they make mistakes they correct." What is clear is that thinking you only advance to a certain point and if you have already reached that point you already know what to do…
