Decisions, Decisions!
By Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr.
In matters great or small, every human is perennially faced with the imperative of deciding one way or another, on some thing or another. Life continually places options on our path and we must decide what to do, where to go, what to avoid, how most effectively get to where we need to go!
Decisions are inescapable for any individual in a great variety of daily situations. In many cases, a decision should not be postponed, for one never has the guarantee that the opportunity to decide on that issue later on will ever be possible.
In addition, a delay in making a decision may cheat the decider in attaining the results that are forthcoming based on the decision made at the previously designated time for it! Although prudence is a valid quality for one to possess, hesitancy may only lead to unnecessary losses!
It’s not that decisions only apply to important aspects of life, while other issues of lesser significance may be ignored altogether. Let us not forget that not deciding is also a decision, a bad one in most instances, even when done unconsciously, or ignorantly!
There are certain decisions that are almost automatic in the life of most individuals. When they go to bed at night, they already know all that they must face the moment they get up in the following morning. Habits tend to flow in a predictable pattern!
Initially, in the more distant past, such routines had to be planned as indispensable, or at least essential, elements of starting and experiencing a promising day, in pursuing and responding to the regular challenges of each new day. But once learned, they became an inescapable habit!
Yet, life also offers many other challenges, several of which come unexpectedly, as total surprises, though they equally require a conscious, firm decision on one’s part regarding how to deal effectively with them, how to react to what one suddenly encounters in the course of any day’s activities!
Ignoring a decision, for whatever excuse or reason one may insist on presenting, more than likely will be a source of avoidable difficulty to one’s self, either immediately, or later on. That’s why it’s imperative for an organized, thinking person to establish a grid which can facilitate one reaching a reasonable decision, once any challenge is suddenly faced!
In one of my sayings, recently posted on Twitter, I stated: “Decisions should not settle in the realm of intentions; they must occupy the territory of action!” In other words, one must not merely talk about making a decision, but decide; not just report on ideas still being formed but, rather, execute them in a decisive way!
