Most decisions, big or small, come down to two paths. The easy one and the hard one.
The reality is the easy path will always look more appealing. It's the path of least resistance. But just because it's easier doesn't mean it's the right decision.
Here's something you can start doing today to help you with these decisions:
Every time you make the hard decision over the easy one, you make the next hard decision easier.
Read that again.
Let's take a simple example. Most airports have these automated walkways that move you a little bit faster. The easy choice is to hop on the walking expressway to get to your gate a little faster and find a seat. The harder one is to skip the crowd and walk down the middle without it.
When you make that harder choice enough times in a row, the next time you're faced with that same simple decision, it won't be a decision at all.
This idea expands to every area of your life.
The easy path is avoiding the difficult conversation with your team member. The hard path is having it. Choose the hard path, and you make the next hard decision easier.
The easy path is hitting snooze. The hard path is working out the moment you wake up. Choose the hard path, and you make tomorrow's workout decision easier.
The easy path is putting off the cold calls. The hard path is making them today. Choose the hard path, and you make tomorrow's cold calls easier.
So the decision in front of you right now: you have two options. The easy one and the hard one. Know that if you make the hard one, the next decision will be easier.
Now you decide the path.
Every time you make the hard decision over the easy one, you make the next hard decision easier.
Use Your Gifts,
John Eades
Creator, The Leadership Lens & The Optimistic Outlook