Decisions. We all make hundreds of them every day from the time we wake up till our head hits the pillow.

 

We make routine decisions, such as the type of cereal to have for breakfast – “do I have seven Weetbix like champion cricketer Brett Lee or some Nutri-Grain like the Iron Men?”, or how to get to work – “thanks Metlink, second Glen Waverley train to be cancelled this morning – why didn’t I cycle in?! Oh yeah, no lycra that isn’t transparent…”

 

We make financial decisions – “do I spend my entire paycheck on these killer red heels?”, we make ethical decisions – “I am definitely getting the organic, free-range, green etc etc eggs for breakfast”, we make decisions that relate to our health – “bring on those stairs!” (Bonus points if you work in a skyscraper – just a few flights there), and we make multiple decisions that will affect those around us – “Can I offer you my seat madam?” or “Yep, let’s go in for the first kiss”….

 

And then we have the big stuff. The decisions that will definitely change your life – “Will you marry me”, “Do I buy this house”, “Do I want children”, “What university degree do I do?”, “What type of toothpaste do I use”… Ok, maybe not so much that last one. But hey, in 20 years time, it could turn out to have been a big decision in terms of fillings and being able to eat a whole bushel of apples.

 

 

 

 

I have recently had to make some decisions that I would place into the big stuff category. Decisions that have potentially helped to shape at least the next three years of my life, and hopefully well after that as well. And after writing that last sentence, seeing those words in text, has just made my decision a whole lot more real! And for anybody starting to get excited – no, I am not getting married/pregnant/have bought a house/moving to the Bahamas to live with Johnny Depp.

 

To help paint the picture a little, I went away to Europe in the middle of last year with a hope of having an epiphany on a mountain as to what I should do with my life (aside from the sporting aspect of it all – Rio 2016 has never had a question mark).  While I created memories of a lifetime, I didn’t have any sudden great revelations. But I did come home with the conviction that I needed to use the gifts I have to help others – all religious/ spiritual /life teachings 101. Nothing radical there. But how to do that was The Question.

 

Being the nerd that I am, I naturally started making lists of what makes me happy, what skills I have, and how these would be of use to anyone else. Now, if you are a first time reader to this blog (welcome), I am an avid believer in happiness, wellbeing, balance, attitude, and mindfulness. Regular readers may or may not have noticed some of these themes – hopefully the affirmative!

 

With all this in mind, it became clearer that becoming a life/wellbeing/happiness coach (terminology is still TBA) was something that would fit – I will make a career out of helping other people to be happy, be the best that they can be, find balance, and live life to the fullest. Perfetto.

 

Now for the how and other big decisions. Again, being the nerd that I am, I have decided that one of the best ways for me to achieve this goal is to have both practical AND  research foundations in the area. Enter the PhD.

 

For those unfamiliar with a PhD, essentially it is a three year+ adventure that will revolve around conducting research into my area’s of interest, provide me with both practical and research experience, and result in a 100, 000 word thesis. No dramas right?! (Fingers quivering slightly over the keyboard).

 

But back decisions. I was blessed to have been offered scholarships at a few different universities and was given the opportunity to work with many different amazing people. It felt like trying to choose between a black forest cherry cake and a triple-baked chocolate cheesecake. Now I realise all decisions may not be quite so pleasant, but this decision will affect at least the next three years, where I will live etc etc. Having talked to lots of people, made pro / con lists till the cows came home, and still not getting anywhere, I was given some advice:

 

When making a perceived difficult/big decision, make the decision and let it sit for a little while. See how it feels. This helps to remove all the conscious clatter generated by thoughts and emotions, and lets your subconscious/intuition/gut feeling guide you. If it feels totally wrong or right, you will know then which way to go. And while having choice is amazing, freedom comes when you make the choice and fully commit to your decision.

 

So if you ever are feeling extremely indecisive and overwhelmed by a decision you need to make, why not try the above method – who knows, you might decide to have eight Weetbix and become the next Brett Lee*…

 

Be decisive. A wrong decision is generally less disastrous than indecision.”

Bernhard Langer

 

 

 

Until next time,

 

Ride safe, ride with a smile, ride in the moment,

Han

 

 

*For those unfamiliar, Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers in the world and an Australian cricketing legend. I am also putting a disclaimer out there that eating eight Weetbix will turn you into Brett Lee.