decision | The Caleb Barney Collection

There’s not just “one” right way of doing things

If you find yourself stressing over making a decision, realize three things…

1) There are almost always multiple “right” ways of doing things. One way may provide the best results, but many factors help make an outcome better/worse. Don’t waste time or energy stressing yourself out deciding between two (or more) good choices.

2) We can never 100% know which action will lead to the best possible outcome. All you can do is try your best and make what appears to be the smartest decision with the information you currently have. Hindsight is 20/20. So if you find out that the decision you opted against might not have been the best, that’s ok. Just keep that in mind for future experiences.

3) Chances are, this choice will not change the outcome of your life. Yes, little decisions stack on top of each other and can lead to a snowball effect (good or bad), but if you mess up this one time, you likely won’t even remember it in a year (let alone next month or maybe even next week).

Compound interest on the decisions you make

The best thing we have going for us is that we’re young and capable. Compound interest is our most trusted ally. Work hard and bust our butts (sacrifice) now so we can live like nobody else in the future.

Easy choices, hard life. Hard decisions, easy life.

Choose to do something difficult now that moves you closer to your goals. It’s always easier to put it off until tomorrow, but that will prolong the inevitable and works against your best interest.

Making choices

Every decision you make is a choice. Are you choosing to do something that will make you better? For example, did you choose to hit the snooze button this morning or did you wake up when you said you would work out? Did you choose to eat a salad for lunch instead of fast food? Did you choose not to go to the store last week which is why you don’t have healthy food options in your house? Did you choose to have one or two extra alcoholic beverages last night? Did you choose to read anything today?

People complain about how busy they are, but busyness is a choice too. Are you choosing to be busy or are you choosing to be productive?

Make a choice right now. You don’t have to stress about being perfect all day. Just start with your next decision.

Aim to make your life more effortless

“The best decisions are the ones that eliminate many future decisions.”

Making choices can be draining. What you you want to eat, to wear, to do? When do you want to work out, to mow the lawn, to go to the park?

Where do you want to…

How do you want to…

The list is seemingly never-ending!

Instead of experiencing decision fatigue, make certain decisions once and let that be the end of it. Then you don’t have to waste time and energy deciding something everyday. I like doing this by having “rules” that I follow. It’s easier to say, I’m the kind of person who does ____ or who doesn’t do ____.”

Here are some examples:

• I work out everyday. Even when I don’t feel like it, I at least have to get on the bike for 30 minutes.

• I read and write something everyday.

• I brush my teeth every morning after breakfast and every night before bed. After I brush my teeth at night, I do not eat anything or drink anything other than water.

• I wear a seatbelt every time I’m in the car.

• I do not eat fast food.

• I do not “pay” for something on a credit card if I can’t afford it in cash (with the exception of a house).

• I do not participate in gossip. (This is the most challenging one.)

• When choosing what movie to watch on a streaming service, I only get five minutes to pick, (otherwise I’ll be scrolling forever).

These are just a few examples of rules I live by. Once you’ve established your own set of rules, you’ve made that decision once and you never have to make it again. Let it become ingrained in you. Follow the rules that you set and don’t break them. It will make everyday a little more effortless as you don’t have to make a decision on whether or not you should do something that you frequently encounter.