I vividly remember Balham library.
I spent a lot of time there as a kid. Flicking through chess books, watching Adventures of Mr Ted and photocopying my hand.
But I remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books above all.
I was the star of the story. And I chose my own fate.
At the bottom of every other page was a choice.
It usually went something like:
“If you want to join Captain Cannonball on Shipwreck Island, turn to page 41”.
“If you want to return to shore and pick up fresh supplies, turn to page 57”.
“If you want to put your feet up in the galley with a tot of rum, turn to page 73”.
Each option led to a different story, a different adventure and a different outcome.
Or did it….?
Let me level with you.
I have a confession to make.
Sometimes I’d be so intrigued about what would happen if I returned to shore instead of sipping on a hot toddy that I’d cheat.
I’d flick through the pages to follow multiple storylines at once.
And to my amazement I soon discovered…
THE WHOLE THING WAS A CON!!!
Sure, there were a few different endings and storylines along the way.
But most of the time it didn’t matter if I returned to shore or not. I’d still end up on Shipwreck Island.
It didn’t matter if I looped through the rum page 6 or 7 times, drinking the ship dry...
I’d end up on Shipwreck Island too.
And interestingly enough, life can work the same way.
Sometimes there are decisions to make. We get to a crossroads and need to choose whether to go left or right.
And some decisions can feel like big decisions. Especially if we worry about making the “wrong” decision.
Because this adds
weight to the decision. And when we add weight, we make the decision feel heavy.
The heavier it becomes, the harder it is to decide.
And the harder it is to decide, the more time we spend time thinking, planning and researching the decision. And going as deep into the decision as we can.
But choosing whether to go left or right is just like choosing whether to sip rum or head back to shore.
Even after a decision is made, we can still adapt and adjust. We can still fine-tune and create.
We don’t lose our ability to make more
decisions.
And most of the time, we can still get to Shipwreck Island if we want to.
Recognising this could help decisions feel lighter. Which could make the
decision-making process easier.
Maybe something to keep in mind next time you have a decision.
That’s all for today.
- Tom
p.s. There's a chapter about decision-making in my book Quit Your Job, Change Your Life.
If you’re interested, you can pick up a copy here:
https://www.followingfulfilment.com/book