I used to procrastinate so much. Never wanting to make the decision about going this way or that. A few years ago, and after a long time of procrastinating, I was made aware of a very handy visualization tool. This tool is to help someone in decision making.
Before I get into how to use this tool, I want you to be aware that I'm going to extend this in another direction after the exercise. This is not to cause confusion, as I hope it does not, but to expand your thinking more. If you do find the additional information confusing after the exercise, then by all means, disregard it! Whatever works for you!
Decision Making Visualization Exercise:
When you have that decision to make and just don't know which way to go with it, sit quietly, meditating if you wish, and picture a fork in the road ahead of you. As you picture this fork in the road, see the road sign in the center naming one of your decisions if you went to the left, and the other decision named to the right. How does the road/path beyond the fork look in each direction? Let your mind create! Are there flowers on one path with a bright, cheery view? It will be apparent that one of these paths will look more appealing than the other in some way or fashion. This is what your sub-conscious is telling you - how you TRULY feel about each decision. You may be surprised at what you see on the different paths.
Taking that more pleasing path will definitely bring you rewards without a doubt, but there's another angle I want you to be aware of - and this all depends on how you wish to tackle the situation as there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. If one direction looks nice with the flowers, sun's out and it's green everywhere, most people will go for that decision hands down. That other path, however, the one that has no grass, rainy, no flowers - nothing is there that really looks appealing. Or is there?
Here, I am introducing a deeper way of looking at that not-so-appealing direction at the fork. It will not be for everyone I realize. As I am a visual person, this crept up on me today.
Keeping our analogy of the fork in the road and the appealing/not-so-appealing directions, what does every artist do with a blank canvas? What does a gardener do if he or she wishes to start a garden? You have that blank canvas or that pile of dirt in front of you to start fresh from scratch your way! You get to plant the seeds of your ideas in the soil and watch them grow, nourish them to full bloom and reap the rewards of your labour. It is your way from start to finish, concept to completion.
The other path has all the flowers and grass already there and well into development - a beautiful visual for sure. It also means the end of their cycle is coming faster than starting from scratch as they have already been established. Don't get me wrong, with anything that comes to the end of its cycle, it can always be renewed, refreshed or even a springboard to new directions that are just as pleasing! So please do not discount this.
Maybe I've added more decisions or confusion to your day, or maybe I've made things easier - Do you take the easy or more challenging route? Most people know themselves well enough to decide if they are one to start from scratch with the challenge of bringing things to fruition from start to finish, or, the challenge of taking up a decision in progress and run with it building the idea, and its strength to an all time high. There are no 'wrong' decisions - either route has its challenges - and there are only good or better decisions. You choose based on what you do know of the decisions and what you want as an end result.
Of course these are analogies using your resulting visualization of the fork in the road as the input. These decisions may not be concerning 'ideas' but rather some other 'Should I/Shouldn't I' or 'Yes/No' type of answers. The result of the main visualization exercise is the same.
We all learn from what we decide regardless of the decision. Enjoy the learning experience and never feel bad about the decisions you make for yourself. It is personal and no one can tell you you're wrong - and they have one hell of a nerve if they do!
You may well choose to use this visualization exercise as is, without the extra, deeper analysis. That is fine. Whatever is comfortable to you.
I hope you get something out of this. What does the fork in the road show to you? Where do you see yourself going?
Happy trails! :)
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Move through life with your eyes, mind and heart open, and many things will be made clear to you on your journey. Take care.
~ Randy McAllister
