Our Choices Maketh Us
In the TV series Suits, Harvey Specter encapsulates the profound influence of our choices in a single statement to his protege, Michael Ross. He says, “What are your choices when someone holds a gun to your head? You do what they say, or they shoot you, right? Wrong! You take the gun, pull out a bigger gun, call a bluff, or do any other 146 things.” This powerful message underscores the immense power we hold in our hands: the power of choice. It’s not about the rebuttal but the empowerment that comes with making informed decisions.
We often need more latitude in our actions and available options. Most people honestly believe that they act out of compulsion and that they would do better if they had other options without realizing that they already have them. We often see our friends and relatives blame others for their circumstances, for their choices and their situation.
One of the most significant dilemmas we face while navigating life and the numerous difficult decisions we make through its course is uncertainty. We never know all the forces at play and which will become active after we have made a decision. Some try to escape this dilemma simply by avoiding a decision and waiting for clarity, while others do what others do. Both are equally disastrous!
The “Our Life” project resembles a mathematical optimization problem where we want to optimize the things we want and avoid the stuff we don’t. The mathematical analog of such a problem is called “dynamic programming.” Sadly, that is where the analogy ends. The only mathematical way to solve such a problem is through a series of decisions where we try all permutations and combinations to pick the optimal solution—a brute-force approach. Unfortunately, we cannot use brute force in our lives. Many times in life, we are not even aware of all options.
At this point, many will realize that making decisions based on incomplete information is the rule rather than the exception. So the only question we face is, “How can we make the best decisions given that we won’t have all the details?”. There are some dimensions to every decision that make it good or bad. Let’s explore a few:
Harmony
Any decisions based on fundamental principles that align with your character and values will be significant. A decision that resonates with your character does not split you into fighting your inner self. You avoid wasting time and energy worrying about whether you are on the right path and focus on taking things forward. If your decision creates conflict within yourself, do not tread the path, even if your loved ones or someone with more life experience advice you to walk it. There is no point in doing something that creates a rift within yourself. Making decisions based on harmony brings a sense of peace and alignment within yourself.
Thinking Long Term
A decision considering long-term implications will be more sound and successful than one with myopic origins. Time and truth are the best of friends. Time manifests truth, and truth manifests the time to come. If you decide on something for short-term fulfillment that cannot withstand the tests of time, you are setting yourself up for failure. Time is the most potent force in the universe, and you would want to be on the right side of it when making decisions. Thinking long-term brings a sense of security and preparedness for the future.
Go For The Right Reasons
Successful decisions are always based on the right reasons. Any decision originating from a place of fear, anxiety, hatred, jealousy, anger, or greed is bound to wither away once these emotions subside. Never make decisions while experiencing these negative emotions. On the other hand, decisions made based on courage, wisdom, rationality, harmony, peace, love, and contentment tend to be more successful.
Know What You Are Doing
While it is true that we may not know everything when deciding upon something, nothing stops us from putting our best efforts into gathering as much information as possible and analyzing the data before taking a call. You have the right to make decisions based on the amount of information that you deem fit for the purpose. However, you do not have the right to walk away from its consequences. So act like you have to own it!
Life can be very unpredictable, which also makes it exciting. To lead a life of accomplishments, you have to strike a balance. A balance between “getting to know” and “knowing to act”. A balance between not going overboard with successes and not dwelling on failures. A balance between your character and your actions. It is a complicated circus act that makes it difficult to get it right, and often, there is no safety net to stop our fall. But if we base our decisions on these four pillars that we discussed, we surely won’t regret it!