Don’t Make That Decision!
“Indecision, delayed decisions, and no decisions are decisions.”
__Jeff O’Leary, The Centurion Principle
When Jeff O’Leary wrote: “Indecision, delayed decisions, and no decisions are decisions,” he didn’t mean it as a model of good leadership.
But the longer I live the more I am inclined to believe it is.
The guy making the most decisions is not always the guy making the best decisions. As someone else said, “When there’s nothing particularly clever to do, the potential pitfall lies in insisting on being clever.”
Watch out for the clever guy, he has a tendency to get the people around him in a boatload of trouble!
Let’s reflect on O’Leary’s list:
Indecision
You can’t live in limbo land forever, and unless you’re eating at Waffle House, waffling between two or more options when you know what you should do is not wise, but if you’re not sure, and you can wait, why make a decision just yet?
Yes, indecision can be a sign of someone with commitment issues, but it can also be a warning light telling you to slow down.
If the decision can be postponed, let it.
Delayed decisions
This is my favorite strategy. Well almost my favorite strategy. My number one strategy is that I hope desperately that Jesus will return and He can make the decision! But so far (for the last 2000+ years!) that strategy hasn’t worked. But what has worked is delaying decisions unto they must be made.
I’ve learned that most things that appear desperately important at the moment are of almost no importance within just a few hours or days.
I’ve learned that other people’s lack of planning does not usually constitute an emergency for me.
I’ve learned that what I knew “for sure” today is not so sure tomorrow after a few more details came in.
Like a baby ready to be born, decisions have a way of letting you know when they’re ready to take center stage. Jesus gives us some good advice here, “every day has its own troubles (decisions that must be made), don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow (Matthew 6:34).
Delaying a decision is usually a pretty good game plan.
No decisions
Oh this is a good one!
Just because there is a fight going on doesn’t mean you have to get involved. Keep your hat on.
Just because hundreds of your “friends” on Facebook are blowing up social media pontificating about the latest controversy doesn’t mean you have to chime in. Don’t hit that button!
Unless you can contribute to the outcome, even if it is important, you are not obligated to make a decision.
When someone offers their opinion you are not required to offer yours. Matter of fact, you don’t even have to have an opinion.
Is the new recipe good or bad? Does it matter? Just eat it.
Is it required that you form an opinion on a five minute song? So they like banjo music, will it matter tomorrow?
The next time you’re waiting in line at Walmart, must you decide whether or not the outfit the person in front of you is wearing is appropriate? You’d probably be better served to decide whether or not the Reese’s Cup that you slipped into the grocery cart while your wife wasn’t looking is a good decision. Just saying…
Does it really matter for you decide whether or not you like ole Bob in the corner office. Just get the work done!
Must you choose which team is your favorite team? Just enjoy the game.
Live and let live. Decisions should be saved for the really important stuff.
Mr. O’Leary was right: Indecision, delayed decisions, and no decisions are decisions, and they’re often some of the best decisions.
The ONE THING for today: Each day there are decisions that must be made. Don’t squander your limited time and resources on making decisions that are not required today. Make as few decisions as you can but throw all you’ve got into the ones you do make. String together a few days of that and you will discover that you’ve made some meaningful progress with a lot less stress.
