Sunday, May 3rd, marked a milestone in my life.
I celebrated my 65th birthday. According to all of the cards and greetings I received from “friends” I am now officially old.
Reaching this landmark required me to make some decisions as I am now eligible for Medicare. Which plan should I choose? What company should I get my Medicare supplement through?
Life has always been full of choices. It seems as though this Corona virus has increased the amount of choices we need to make. Should I go to the store or not? Do I really need to get a gallon of milk today or should I wait until I need more groceries? Can I at least go see my family? Should I wear a mask and gloves every time I go out? Do I need to wear a mask when I just go for a walk?
Several years ago I read a book by Dr. Ben Carson titled Take the Risk. Dr. Carson ran for president in 2016 and currently serves as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. When I read the book he was the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University. In that role, he had to literally make life and death decisions on a daily basis. I remember a story from the book where he had to make a decision on whether or not to separate conjoined twins.
I believe it was at this point in the book he talked about a very simple process he went through with every decision in his life. It didn’t matter if it was performing surgery on conjoined twins or buying a car. He went through the same process.
With every decision he makes, and, I’m assuming he still does this today because it’s such great advice, he asks himself four questions. Here they are and I’ll use performing surgery as an example:
- What is the best thing that could happen if I perform this surgery?
- What is the worst thing that could happen if I perform this surgery?
- What is the best thing that could happen if I don’t perform the surgery?
- What is the worst thing that could happen if I don’t perform the surgery?
Wow! Those are pretty simple questions to help you make incredibly difficult decisions. I’m not saying the answers will be easy or simple but what a great place to start when you are faced with a challenging decision.
Sometimes we are thrust into acting courageously in the moment. Other times we have some time to think about acting courageously. Sometimes fear puts us in a position where we have to make a choice but we don’t. We put off making the decision or the making the choice. Even not making a decision is making a decision.
When you have time to think I encourage you to begin to employ these four questions. It’s a great way to come to a decision.
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? I’d love to be that guy. You can reach me at dave@cultivatecourage.com or 952-200-7499.
You can now buy the book “Cultivate Courage” on Amazon! https://amzn.to/2N2PBVJ
Thank you for sharing, Dave. I really like simple ideas that have potential for great impact – and these 4 questions fit this category.
Have a blessed New Year!
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! They really are simple but have great impact. Now I just need to remember to use them more often!