Recently I was standing around at the school and church where I work and struck up a conversation with one of my former students that had dropped by. We were standing around talking when they asked,

“What do you do when you need to make a big decision?”

It’s a great question and my first answer to them was that I don’t have it all figured out.

In fact I was talking to one of my mentors and asking them basically the same question only an hour before.

Here’s what’s funny, I then began to unpack what I believe to be some really great principles that can help anyone narrow in on a great decision. One that they can still be thankful for, even if it doesn’t work out as planned!

Here’s what I shared;

#1. I Ask God

Not everyone in our community is a person of faith but many are. I am a person of faith; so I pray…

It doesn’t have to be a really formal thing, for me it rarely ever is. There’s a difference between honoring and formal.

I just ask, “God should I do this thing, will you show me and make my path clear?”

I also review my decision through the lens of the Bible. What I believe to be God’s written instruction manual for his disciples.

In the bible I get thousands of years of other peoples decisions recorded and the results that ensue. I get to see what works and doesn’t and learn wisdom from other people’s experiences.

I get a clear and unwavering moral framework that reminds me of a bowling lane with a nice smooth path in the middle and the gutters on the side.

All I have to do is keep it between the gutters!

#2. I Ask Friends

I have seen way too many “self smart” people who confidently drive their life right off a cliff! Unfortunately they almost never take that drive alone and bring those closest to them down with them.

I don’t know what I don’t know, so I am going to ask!

I am going to seek the input of other trusted friends, peers, and mentors to draw upon the collective wisdom of my direct community and extended community in the form of books, videos, courses…

I don’t have to take the advice, but I’d rather be able to make that decision, than to stay ignorant.

#3. I Lower The Stakes

I’ll tell you what I told my student. God loves you! He’s got your back… You can make this decision and even if it turns out to be the wrong one, scripture says that His mercies are new every morning.

You can survive a bad decision. You’ll get another shot. Once your aiming within the scope of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, you might miss, but it won’t be fatal, so take the shot!

#4. I Look For The Joy

This is a thought I’ve come to both naturally and from similar approaches shared with me by others.

I look inwards and ask myself if the idea of doing this thing brings me joy?

Am I really and truly excited about this next step even with my eyes wide open to the cost? Or am I considering doing this because of outside pressure or because I feel like I should?

There’s a world of difference between feeling I should do something and wanting to do something with a passion!

One way to tease out which is which is to ask yourself, “Would I do this for less money than I’m currently making? Would I still be glad I made this decision even if it doesn’t end up working out?”

If the answer is yes to all of the above, it’s probably a joy decision.

#5. I Count The Suffering

I’ve found that a lot of my indecision is due to the fact I am looking for that one perfect opportunity that doesn’t come with a downside.

I am coming to accept that what I’ve been looking for doesn’t exist on this side of eternity.

Whatever investment you choose will have risks. Whatever relationship you begin will have problems. Whatever career you choose will have it’s downside.

Like pastors who always work Sundays or doctors and plumbers who are constantly on call. Inside job, outside job, employee, boss, they all come with their own unique set of challenges.

What you need to ask yourself is, “what am I willing to suffer for?”

What do I find so much joy in and love so much, that I am willing to accept the downsides of this vocation or decision with fierce eyes wide open and a smile on my lips?

The truth is that I have a lot more things I’d find joy doing than I am willing to suffer for and that’s okay. It’s why this final question, in conjunction with the first 4, is so powerful. It really narrows in my options and helps me focus where I should.

If a decision passes all 5 tests, it could very well be a great decision!

At the very least it tells you a lot about yourself and what really drives you. That’s valuable information that is the seed of future success.

I said this once before, but I’ll repeat it again;

Once your aiming within the scope of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, you might miss, but it won’t be fatal, so take the shot!

See you next Thursday!

Geno Schmelzer,

P.S. Check out my brand new podcast “Can I Ask You A Question?

2x a month I’m sitting down to talk with other high performers and together we learn from their wisdom and experience, this is a great way to make better and better decisions!

World class people are multifaceted. In each conversation we’ll dive into more than just their most public accomplishments, and into the everyday habits and values that we can all learn from to live a life truly marked by health, wealth, and wisdom.