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Eeny Meeny Miney Mo
by Linda Larsen, CSP
© Copyright 2003
It’s really frustrating. You have to make a choice between two courses of action that appear to be equally important. Either choice is going to leave you feeling guilty about something. Or maybe it’s going to result in someone being angry with you. What do you do? How do you decide?
From personal experience I can tell you that the “Eeny Meeny Miney Mo” technique leaves a lot to be desired. Yielding to the side that is exerting the most pressure isn’t always the wisest course of action, either. There is, however a very specific question you can ask yourself that might help you decide upon your course of action. Let me give you an example.
I love my in-laws. They live only about an hour and a half away and they are, without a doubt, two of the most amazing, loving, supportive people on the planet. They are also very understanding. So a few weeks ago when my husband asked me if I wanted to go visit them on Sunday, I hesitated. I had a LOT of work to do and I knew that if John went without me, they would understand.
And then this thought occurred to me. If this were the last choice I got to make in my life, would I regret it? Or would I be extremely assured that I had made the right one?
I believe that we live in extremely uncertain times. I truly do not know when any given choice that I am making could, indeed, be my last one. On September 11, 2001, thousands of people made a choice of some kind – and then, minutes later, had no choices left. And while I do not want to live my life in a state of paranoia, I do want to make conscious choices based on what truly is most important to me. I reiterate: What is MOST important to me.
Yes, my work is important to me. And yes, my family is important to me. And what better way to determine which one is in first position than by asking that question? So as I thought about whether or not to go visit them in the context of it being the last choice I ever got to make, it really became quite clear to me which one was right for me in that moment.
And sometimes, it may not be so cut and dried. What if the workbook I was working on needed to be emailed to the client the next morning and I clearly had a full day’s work to finish it? Ahhh well. I might have to make a different choice. But you see here’s the point. If I lived my life by this principle, I know there would be many more times that I would definitely choose to go visit my in-laws. Therefore, when I did have a pressing item such as the promised workbook and I determined that it truly was the MOST important choice for me to make at that time, three great things would result.
1. My in-laws would know that my choice was based on something very valid.
2. I would know that I was honoring my commitment to my client.
3. I would experience a greater sense of being in control of my life.
So the next time you have that really tough decision to make, you can ask yourself “If this were the last choice I got to make in my life would I regret it?” Or you can go, “Eeny meeny miney mo.” It’s all up to you.
Word count: 596
Tag line: Linda Larsen, CSP, helps individuals think strategically, communicate effectively, and celebrate success. She is an international keynote speaker, trial consultant and author of the book, True Power, and the best selling audio program, 12 Secrets to High Self-Esteem. She can be reached at www.lindalarsen.com or 941-927-4700.
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