Have you ever been faced with making a decision that would fundamentally guide the direction of your career or life?

I was faced with one of those decisions last Spring.  I decided to write a book.  I thought that this was going to be the most difficult decision I was going to make.

I was mistaken, it wasn’t.

The real decision I needed to make was to choose what I was going to write about.

This was a big decision, as I’d be committing hours on end to write this book; waking up early, staying up late, saying no to extra curricular activities and stealing time away from my family.

On top of that, this decision was going to move my work and business towards a specific direction.  This would mean I’d be saying yes to something and no to everything else.

Have you ever faced a decision like this? Are you contemplating one as we speak?

I knew the topic I chose to write about would be something I’d be committing to for the long haul.  It wasn’t as simple as a topic for a blog post or podcast episode, that I could easily steer the following week with another post if I so chose.

It also felt bigger than choosing my next job or which client I’d work with. This book would be where I’d spend hundreds of hours, thousands of dollars and give loads of material to my inner critic to play with for days on end.

On top of that, I’m multi-passionate, enjoy many topics and love to learn.  I could write about leadership, personal branding, team building or communication.

Or, I could focus on things I’ve learned since we built our farm life five years ago; growing vegetables, growing lavender, making essential oils or beekeeping.

Or, I could write about personal development, meditation, parenting or marriage.

How do you choose?

Here’s what went into deciding on the topic and title of my book. As you’re contemplating your next big decision with a myriad of options in front of you, think about this:

4 Ways to Confidently Choose:

#1: Is this choice something you enjoy? Do you get excited and are you passionate about it? Are you interested in learning more about this area, topic or idea?

#2: Will this decision move you further away or closer to your goals?  When you think about your life, ten years from now, how will this decision help you create the career, business or life you most want?  Imagine yourself at the end of your life looking back; did making this decision fill you up with fulfillment or not making it fill you with regret?

#3: Does this choice invite you to be more of who you are?  Does it give you an opportunity to use your strengths and skills? Does it offer a chance to bring in your expertise? Does this choice allow you to learn, grow or improve a talent, skill or strength?

#4: In what ways will this choice help others?  Making a big decision often has our attention focused on ourselves.  Turning the lens outwards on how this choice will affect others, can be the defining factor. Consider how it will serve? In what ways will this decision help improve the lives of others? How will this decision advance humanity and change the world?

Choosing the topic and title of my book wasn’t easy.  As soon as I decided I was flooded with doubt. Second guessing myself on whether or not I made the right choice? I deliberated – should I go back and pick the runner up.

Can you relate?  Whenever you make a big decision, fear of missing out or doubt you made the right choice is normal.  It’s our brain’s way of keeping us safe.  You’re restricting options and our programmed survival instinct doesn’t like limits.  But know that just because your brain is uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean something is wrong.

Choosing my topic and book title was the best decision I made.  These big decisions usually aren’t made lightly.  They’re thoughtful, contemplative and often have gone through a number of pro/con and ‘what if’ scenarios.

Looking back now, 15 months later I can see I picked the perfect topic and title for my book.

If I hadn’t decided, I’d probably still be dreaming of writing it and deliberating on the topic.

Sometimes choice matters.

Often times, it’s a matter of making a choice.

Now, I’d love to hear for you: What helps you make a decision? How do you choose?

Post a comment below or email me directly at finka@finka.ca as I’d love to hear all about it!

PS: Wanna know what topic and title I chose?

Sell From Love. Love yourself. Love your client. Love your offer.  

It’s a book about selling., but more than that, it’s a book that will teach you how to own who you really are and use your Brilliant Difference to make change in the world. Sell From Love will be available for you to read on October 20th. Stay tuned more to come.

With love,

Finka