My Two Keys to Unlocking Decision-Making Success (2 Min Read)
Ever feel stuck in a rut, making the same poor decisions repeatedly at work or in your personal relationships? You're not alone. We've all been there. But what if I told you that you could do two simple things every day to help you make better decisions, big and small? Would you be interested?
Meditation Helps Disengage the "Fight or Flight" Response
When we're faced with a decision, our natural tendency is to fight or take flight. This is known as the "fight or flight" response, and our sympathetic nervous system governs it. When we're in this state, our heart rate increases, our breathing becomes shallow, and blood flow to our muscles increases so that we're ready to take action. This is really good if we're in danger and need to take action. Not so good if we're merely trying to decide whether or not to buy a new car. In that case, this response is unnecessary and can hinder our ability to make a good decision. That's where meditation comes in.
Meditation helps us disengage the "fight or flight" response by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which has the opposite effect of the sympathetic nervous system. When we're in parasympathy, our heart rate slows, our breathing deepens, and blood flow to our muscles decreases. This allows us to think more clearly and make better decisions. So next time you find yourself struggling to make a decision, try taking a few minutes to meditate first. It just might help you see things more clearly and end the potential for regret later.
Movement Helps Get the "Wiggles" Out
Have you ever tried to make an important decision while also trying to keep a wiggly toddler happy? If so, then you know firsthand how difficult it can be! The same holds for adults; it's hard to focus on making a good decision when we have too much "wiggling" inside our bodies and heads. That's why getting up and moving around when feeling antsy or distracted is important. Moving around helps release tension and allows us to focus more clearly on the task. So next time you find yourself struggling to focus on making a decision in your workplace or at home, try getting up and moving around for a few minutes first. Make an excuse for a bathroom run, snack grab, or fresh air and hit the stairs. It just might help you clear your head to make a better decision.
Making big and small decisions in work and at home isn't always easy but by incorporating some simple mediation and movement into your daily routine, you can help improve your decision-making skills in everyday life and especially during big life decisions! Don’t take my word for it; try it before you buy it.
Pro Tip: It doesn’t require incredible strain for one or the other. 2 minutes of meditation and 2 minutes of pushups can work wonders!
Let’s GROW!