Ensure That You Examine What You Do In Life For Best Results

We do need to examine the decisions that we are making. What is their purpose and direction? Are they of benefit and what will contribute? Or are they of no real consequence, no importance, just being done for the sake of it?

But at times we just act, often without much prior thought. While this may be fine, as we are feeling our way through and this seems to be the best course of action - it sits right with us - we may realize otherwise. Acting without thought can lead us to unchartered territory with no idea or plan as to what we may be doing or trying to accomplish.

And is this what we really want to be doing? How we want to live our life? Sure acting from our heart and not our head is a recognized way forward - we just need to go forward with our eyes open. Being aware of what we are doing and where we may end up.

The middle course is to assess and examine the options that lay before us. This goes so far. An important stage must be the evaluation of paths ahead. By doing a comparison we can decide the individual merits of each avenue and compare them. Some may be quick and easy, others slow but sound, others present obstacles but greater benefits. We have to decide on their respective merits how we should proceed.

At the other end of the scale is the 'over the top' course of action. This is where we examine, think about it, look some more. Assess and evaluate the options. Find a balance between what we want and what is possible.

Are your goals realistic and achievable? Are they time related? Are they really what you need or is it another of your wants?

Repeat the process. Have a rest and repeat the process. In other words what we do not do is actually move or act. We may decide but not to act, or not act without full and unnecessary examination of all opportunities and possibilities. By which time our chance may be gone or the situation has changed.

Of course, at times the number of options may be very small - a mere handful or only one or two. Then the examination stage can be rightly small. The study and effort in decision making need only be small and as rapid as we like.

Once the examine stage is over we just need to take the appropriate and decided action towards our goal or prize. There is no point looking at the different alternatives if that is all that we are doing. To get the task or job done action is needed.

Often how we approach a complex problem or decision is decided by our character - whether we are impulsive or thoughtful, whether we jump in with the first angle that we see and are willing to see what happens. Or we want to cross all the Ts and dot all the is - before we consider any action.

We also need to learn from our own experience or the experiences of those close to us. Without the benefit of growing and developing over time we will tend to make the same mistakes and waste time in wild goose chases (I wonder who does chase a wild goose - apart from a fox?). Or jumping to the wrong conclusions and not being willing to admit mistakes and tracking back. Oh we will continue on, I know it won't work out, but I'm hoping for the best.

Being sensible and practical about the examine process will save much time and effort and lead to better decisions. But at the same time let us not nullify our intuition and feeling about what we should be doing. Inspiration and ingenuity often rules.