SOME professional COACHING TIPS FOR MAKING decisions … about everything!

Here are 5 tips from coaching that you can do to overcome decision-fatigue (or … you can flip a coin)

Smiling Turtle - Leros

So you’ve made the big decision to jump into expat living.

And now it seems that making decisions - big, small, about everything, all the time - is part of the deal.

You find yourself thinking…

‘There are so many things I need to decide – how to learn the language, where to live, how best to do my new job, how to build my social life… I really don’t know where to start.’

And for some …‘

I need to decide how long I’m going to stick with this choice … when is enough just enough?‘

I can’t decide whether to stay or leave?’

It’s a lot and decision-fatigue is real.

So many choices to make – the brain fog sets in and it’s easier to wish that someone else would decide for you. And sometimes it’s just feels easier to kick things down the road …

So, what’s the answer?

Instead of just gritting your way through, here are some coaching tips about things you can do that, regardless of the decision or decisions you’re facing, will absolutely help you to clear your mind and focus your thinking. (I’ll get to the coin flip later.)

They aren’t decision-making advice – they are about creating a mental space for your own wisdom to reveal itself. To help understand the emotion attached to a decision and get through this to the practical thing of making a choice.

They’re just things that I find helpful when the hustle gets to be too much …

To start, find a quiet, comfortable space.

Then try any, or all, in any order and notice any change in your body, mind or any new ideas that come up. They’re not new ideas, by any means, but worth repeating because they work.

1. Just stop - Breathe

Sometimes when things feel overwhelming or out of control – we think that the answer is to paddle harder, do more, learn more … that if we increase our energy output things will seem clearer, more focused.

The science tells us that the opposite is true. Slowing down brings calm and clarity.

When I say ‘breathe’ I mean this literally ...

For 10 -15 minutes be intentional and focused about nothing more than breathing.

2. Be kind to yourself …

Most women struggle to do this. We’re often reminded about how gratitude is an important positive influence on mindset but usually we’re grateful for other what other people bring to our lives.

Instead – focus on you.

What are your superpowers?

Name 3 and think of a recent time where you used each of these to improve your situation.

3. Recognise that you have already made the big decisions

Moving overseas is a choice – a big decision usually made with a sense of excitement, a sense of moving towards something. Sometimes there’s a lot of preparatory thinking and planning and some of us just buy the ticket and get on the plane – and both approaches and all the in between possibilities are just fine.

Either way – you did this difficult thing!!!

Appreciate this for as long as you like.

4. Move your body – in whatever way you enjoy (preferably outside)

Walk, ride, swim, run in the nearest outdoor area for at least 15 minutes.

Move in whatever way feels enjoyable, that gets you breathing a little faster and is slow enough to allow you to look up and notice things around you.

Hopefully, you’ll see trees, flowers, possibly water and maybe a cute dog enjoying a run.

Whatever you choose, the point is to be aware of your body and see, hear and feel what’s around you.

5. Try structured decision-making to help with that thing you’ve been avoiding

What’s structured decision-making?

Just a series of questions ordered in a way that helps you organise your thoughts.

Super-helpful if you’re feeling a bit scattered with everything.

Here’s an example you can use.No cost, no catch, no email required - just some thing you may find helpful when you feel stuck.

A YES NO Tool.pdf

Download PDF • 64KB

TLDR:

So. When you’re trying to decide between doing this or that …

+ Breathe – just do this one thing for 10 minutes

+ Think about your superpowers – (don’t overthink it) write down three

+ Name the biggest challenge in moving abroad that you’ve already beaten

+ Move – get outside for15 - 20 minutes

+ Focus on your biggest decision-making challenge and use the ‘Yes/No’ tool above.

OR

Or – if all of this seems too much to find an answer to your quandary you could just … flip a coin.

Really????

Yes – not because you’re giving up control but because as soon as you flip it, you’ll notice the thing you’re hoping for.

Whatever works for you 😊