Are you in maintenance mode or decision mode?

Sometimes life can be confusing. We try to process everything at once. Unfortunately, that is just not the way things work. It would be wonderful if life were a nice, neat package that operated according to schedule every day, but sometimes life can be messy. There are unexpected events that take place, circumstances that change and unplanned interruptions that sneak into our lives on a daily basis.

In times of confusion, I have discovered that it is very helpful to answer this question, “Am I in a maintenance mode or am I in a decision mode?”

When I am in a maintenance mode, I realize that it is a time to simply gather facts, data and information. I get a piece of paper and write down everything that I need to know concerning a particular issue or situation that will help me. I mentally relieve myself of the pressure of having to make a decision for the time being. I remind myself that it is not about making a decision but rather about gathering facts because I am in a maintenance mode. I am not trying to move ahead nor backwards. I am simply trying to maintain where I am at this moment in life.

Maintenance mode is a very good place to be. The pressure of trying to “hurry up” and get things accomplished simply goes away for the moment. The maintenance mode becomes a very good time of data gathering and finding all the necessary facts to help make the right choice and the wisest decision.

The decision mode, however, is very different. When it comes time to make a decision, you can make that decision based on everything you found when you were in the maintenance mode. Now it is time to put all of the information into practice and action.

My good friend, Charlie Jones, says there are three parts to the decision making process: 1) make a decision, 2) make it yours, and 3) die by it. Let’s look at each of those components separately.

1) Make a decision.
This goes back to discovering all you possibly can while you are in the maintenance mode. Gather all of the facts, data, information and insight you can to help you make the wisest and best decision possible.

2) Make it yours.
Whether things work or do not work, it will have been your decision. It will be one that you have embraced and you will not be able to point a finger at another person and say, “This was your fault.” It will be your decision and yours alone.

3) Die by it.
If things go well, then you will be rewarded. If things do not go well, then you may suffer the consequences of your decision. But, in any case, it will be your decision that you will take with you - good, bad or indifferent – for the rest of your life.

When I heard Charlie say that, I realized that there was much more to the process than simply “making a decision.” I have found this to be very valuable information.

I imagine that as we come to the end of this year, there are many things on all of our “to-do lists” that still have not been accomplished. It might be worthwhile to get a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Title the left side “Maintenance Mode” and title the right side “Decision Mode.” Take a look at where you are in your life and write down appropriate measures to help you accomplish the things on both sides of the ledger. This is a powerful tool that will help you in all that you do.

This information is provided in congruence with Personality Insights USA.