There are many models for people making decisions. Some involve a person buying time to think and being cerebral. Some involve them being more feeling and using their intuition
Some models involves a person staying calm and clarifying their goals. They can then aim to consider their options, the consequences of each route and any potential creative solutions. They are then more likely to make a considered decision.
Some models invite a person to use their strategic intuition. Drawing on their experience and previous successful strategies, they rehearse following these – plus adding other skills – to tackle the present challenge. They then pursue the strategy that they believe has the greatest chance of success.
The following section explores how you can use the positive energy approach when making decisions. The example relates to career choice, but you can apply this approach to any type of decision in your personal or professional life.
You can clarify the possible
options for going forwards
Imagine that you are focusing on the next step you want to take in your career. Looking ahead, describe the potential routes you can follow in the future. Take time to reflect and describe all the possibilities.
Option A Is:
* To …
Option B Is:
* To …
Option C Is:
* To …
Every person is different so will have different options. Imagine a scenario, however, where you may be able:
a) to stay in your present operational role;
b) to work towards getting promotion – maybe to a role with more pay and responsibilities;
c) to lead a new part of your organisation;
d) to follow one of your previous bosses to another company;
e) to go freelance and do consultant work.
d) to do something else – such as change career, study or do other things.
It is important to brainstorm all the possibilities. Do not worry about how to make any of these happen. Just get all the options out into the open.
The same rule applies to any situation in your personal or professional life. Dare to outline all the possibilities. The next stage will be to look at the implications.
You can clarify the pluses and minuses
of each option and the positive energy
rating of each option on a scale 0-10
Imagine that you have outlined the various options. You can then aim to do two things. First, to describe what you see as the pluses of each option. Second, to rate the extent to which each option gives you positive energy – even when you think about it. Do this on a scale 0-10.
Option A Is:
* To …
The Potential Pluses Are:
*
*
*
The Potential Minuses Are:
*
*
*
The Positive Energy Rating Is: ___ / 10
Option B Is:
* To …
The Potential Pluses Are:
*
*
*
The Potential Minuses Are:
*
*
*
The Positive Energy Rating Is: ___ / 10
Option C Is:
* To …
The Potential Pluses Are:
*
*
*
The Potential Minuses Are:
*
*
*
The Positive Energy Rating Is: ___ / 10
Different people list different pluses and minuses under each of the options. Much will also depend on the stage they are at in their life and work.
One leader I worked with in a large company, for example, was fed-up with reporting to the head office in another country and being micromanaged. Whilst the pay was good, there were negative side-effects. Their positive energy rating for continuing in their present role was 6/10.
They had the opportunity to take the COO role in another company, but this would mean putting in masses of hours to build credibility. They were also at a stage of life where they had other priorities. Bearing this in mind, the positive energy rating for this option was 6/10.
The option that appealed most was heading a new venture in their present company. The pluses included the following. They would be able shape something, build a team and use the company’s resources to do pacesetting work in a new field.
The potential minuses included the following. They would step down from the C-suite, miss out on getting extra shares and may be seen to lose some of their status.
Looking at the pluses and minuses, the leader still felt excited about the challenge that would give them a new lease of life. The positive energy rating was 8/10.
They decided to take this route. Despite the apparent loss of status, they reported that several of their colleagues felt admiration and respect for them pursing this option.
Imagine that you have given a positive energy rating for each of your options. It will then be time to move on to the next stage.
You can clarify the option – or the
combination of options – you want to pursue
There are several things to consider when choosing the route to follow. One of the key factors to bear in mind is that we are feeling beings. We thrive on doing things that give us positive energy or finding positive solutions to challenges.
The positive energy approach is one that I have used many times with individuals who feel in a dilemma when making a decision. A person may say things like:
“I have done all the intellectual work regarding the pluses and minuses of each option. I still can’t make up my mind, however, about the best way forwards.”
On these occasions it is sometimes helpful to invite them to do a positive energy rating. There are several reasons for taking this approach.
First, to recognise that energy is life. It is important for people to do things that give them positive energy. They are then more likely to feel alive and creative. This can also have a positive effect on other people – such as their loved ones or family.
Second, to recognise that choices have consequences. Certainly a person can take a higher paid job or study for a degree that may one day lead to them being well paid. Making decisions based only on money, however, can have both pluses and minuses.
Third, to consider both positive energy and their longer-term big picture of success. Doing what gives them positive energy can lead to them feeling more alive. It can also increase the chances of serendipity and finding even more positive opportunities.
At the same time, they may also want to bear in mind their life goals. They may choose to pursue an option that will enable them to work towards their longer-term picture of success.
Whatever route a person chooses to take, they need to plan properly. If appropriate, they can aim:
To clarify their strategies and action plan for pursuing their chosen route;
To clarify how they can build on the pluses and minimise any potential minuses;
To clarify how they can get some quick wins, encourage themselves on the journey and do their best to achieve their picture of success.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of the positive energy approach? This could be when making a decision yourself or when helping somebody else to make a decision.
Looking at the specific situation, what may be your potential options going forwards? What may be the pluses and minuses of each option? What may be the positive energy rating for each option? How can you then use this information to make your decision?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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