I’m reading Chip and Dan Heath’s new book, Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work.
In the book, Chip and Dan talk about the fact that we are bad at making decisions and how even knowing that we are bad and trying harder to make our decisions more effective doesn’t make our decisions better.
What you need is a PROCESS for making decisions which will improve your results.
The book discusses the four villains of decision making and the first villain is “narrow framing.”
In a nutshell, narrow framing is limiting your choices.
Teenagers are really good at narrow framing any decision.
- “Should I put in the time and study for the test or just commit suicide?”
- “Should I take the part-time job at the grocery store or give up on getting a job ever?”
- “Should I go to the prom with Kathy or am I gay?”
It’s probably obvious to you — if you aren’t a teenager that there are other options in all of these cases, but what may not be so obvious is the fact that YOU have more options than you think.
What is the solution to narrow framing?
Widen your options!
When you feel like you are stuck in a rut, get out there and see what other options are available.
Your choices probably aren’t as limited as …
- “Do I keep working on this dead-end project or give up my business?”
- “Do I give up my relationships with my family or be a success?”
- “Do I keep doing my passion or starve?”
Compare that list to the teenager’s list and see if you aren’t falling into the trap of making decisions based on narrow framing.
Odds are you’ve actually had a couple of those conversations in your head and fallen victim from time to time to limiting your choices to the ridiculous.
Here’s a better idea.
Get out and realize that you have better choices! Spend time with amazing people who aren’t just spinning their wheels thinking that the world will end or they will never improve their income.
Spend a couple days at an event like jvAlert Live or the One Day Intensive Events and you will realize your opportunities are endless.
It’s a much better choice than spinning your wheels, feeling alone and getting nowhere.
All the best,
Ken McArthur
KenMcArthur.com
jvAlertLive.com
OneDayIntensive.com
TheImpactFactor.com
P.S. Let’s get together in person. It makes life so much better!
Ken Seth’s idea is not possible for most people. Your idea is.
When you experience like you are trapped in a rut, get out there and see what other choices are available.