Life is filled with Decisions

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen”.

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Following up on my recent post regarding decisions, I would like to share why I feel the subject of decision making is so important.  

A quick glance at how things may really work in our universe:

I have discovered (for myself) a way of viewing and understanding the path that links a decision to a reality.  This is, of course a theory, but I have developed its hypothesis to the extent where it has some credibility for me. If you enjoy scientific philosophy this will probably tickle the funny-bone of that pursuit, however, all being said and done, if you don’t understand the principle, then just embrace the main deductive inference: your decision will determine your reality.

 I call my hypothesis, ‘DR (Decision, Reality) Theory’ and it looks something like this:

Most students of science have studied Einstein’s theories, dealing with Space and Time—combining these two words into one, 'spacetime', is now the accepted norm.  It is also believed that spacetime is a fabric and is not totally void of material—scientists postulate that there are a limited amount of hydrogen atoms, occupying each cubic metre of space, in the universe. Furthermore, spacetime conducts the force of gravity with another element called dark matter.

My theory suggests that all the possibilities, regarding our journey through spacetime, have already been programmed into its fabric.  A theory called the ‘Block Universe’ portends that the past, present and future all exist simultaneously—the reality of the ‘present’ is always progressive—a moment we reach, at a certain time, as we interact with our environment. I see each of our lives being locked into a ‘critical path’ that includes passing through each moment (a frame) of time—each frame has information (or instruction) embedded into the fabric, firstly as a potential possibility and then as a materializing reality. We lock in our critical path when we make a decision that sets action and intent into operation. Now you will realize why I enjoy writing science fiction (I’ve just given you the short version)! It also stresses how important our decisions are to our future.

When you have lifted yourself off the floor (from laughter) or you haven’t understood a word I’ve just written, remember the deductive inference: your decision will determine your reality.

Now, I’ll throw in some meat with the vegetables—

5 Practices of Good Decision Making.

 Never make a hasty decision. I know there will be times when this is not possible but question any attempt to obtain your sanction on the spur of the moment. Don’t ever fall for “the price will only hold until midnight,” manipulation. Anything that is done in HASTE will have its fair share of WASTE! Sleep on it—this is the best advice you will ever receive.

·         Research every possible fact of the advantage the decision promises to bring.  Scrutinize the “If” components of your pending decision. We are particularly adept at keeping only the positive aspects in view.

·         Know your risk tolerance factor.

(I will elaborate on this in a future post).

·         Weigh up all the information and do your best to keep your emotional self out of the equation.

There is a part of us that strongly desires something personal out of the result. This strong desire can blind us from certain harmful potentialities. Use the’ Franklin rule’ of weighing up pro’s and con’s, if you must.

·         Once you have settled on a decision, avoid sudden reflecting negatives.

 If you dither, even once after settling on a score, then you’ve left some important information out of the process. Avoiding these negatives will also prevent ‘buyer’s remorse’. Once the decision is a firm result of your due diligence then you can resort to whatever faith or belief you support.

Stay tuned for the next blog—things are about to get interesting!!!

Are you making the best Decisions Possible?

Have you suffered loss because of a poor decision?

Is there a better way to make important life-changing decisions?

 My most recent blog about reviving an old skill was not a life-changing decision but it certainly brought me some much needed self-assurance. It made me think about some of the important decisions I have made—life-changing decisions that have directed the course of my living, be it for the good or for the bad. I must be honest and say that I have certain regrets about some of the decisions that were made, particularly after our family’s immigration to Canada.  I hold myself completely responsible for not doing the due diligence that was required of me when making those decisions. I now realize, more than ever, that judgment is affected by being aware of the risks—not only by being aware but also by taking the time to determine, as best as possible, how those risks can be reduced or eliminated. Everyone has a risk-tolerance level and we all need to make sure that the level is never exceeded.

                               Your decisions determine your Destiny and your Reality!

This truth has made me more cognizant of the need to evaluate my decision-making abilities; to go the extra mile or to read that fine print more carefully. As a person of faith I had leaned too heavily on my beliefs and discovered much to my chagrin, that in making any life-changing decision, due diligence and homework are the real precursors to successful outcomes.  Faith, by itself is no substitute for evidence, track-records, available research (and sometimes common sense). All the faith in the world could not save me from making a bad decision, based on poor judgment and limited understanding of the risks.  

To begin with, I have determined four major points on how a decision creates a reality. 

When I make a decision about anything:

·        It sets a process of steps into motion.  

What these steps are and how many there will be depends on the nature of my objective. If I have decided to purchase some shares I would have to sign a cheque, see a financial planner and invest in the market place. These are the steps I would be placing in motion.

·        It links me to a responsibility.

To make sure that there is sufficient money in my account to cover the amount for the cheque; In signing the application form I give my consent to a third party to invest that money. I have to adhere to any timelines and accept the way the market moves. This is my responsibility.

·        It directs me toward potential possibilities.

Markets are generally unpredictable and the possibility of losing my investment is a real outcome. On the other hand, if I have done due diligence, there is a possibility that my investment will increase in a bullish market. These possibilities, according to the laws of probability, are equally good as they are bad.

·        A reality is created when any one possibility is realized.

I have been through all the steps, taken my responsibility and stepped into the realm of possibility. The market took its course and it went up! My hope for a successful outcome is realized or, the market went down and I have lost my investment. Either possibility becomes my reality.

The points above portray the journey from ‘decision’ to ‘outcome’—a realized outcome is a reality that we must live with.  

Over the coming weeks I hope to share how it is possible to make more realistic and successful decisions—how we can do due diligence and eliminate as much risk as possible. There is no sure-fire, foolproof method for anything in this life but by applying a few timely principles we can sleep more peacefully, knowing that we have done everything we can, to ensure a successful outcome. There is much to learn about this topic from a philosophical and scientific point of view if we care to. We cannot be totally insulated from failure but we can ensure the steps of success!

“A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers”.

Plato