Take Action

"Focus more of your time seeking solutions rather than staying absorbed in the problem."  Anonymous

In today's fast paced world, we are always under pressure to make decisions quickly and to move on with the next task at hand.

Gathering more information may be helpful but it can also hold us back.  This creates a dilemma--when is it appropriate to obtain more information and when do we move forward with the information we have based on our past experience and knowledge?

Colin Powell gives us some guidelines on when to move forward: Using the formula P=40 to 70, in which P stands for probability for success and the numbers indicate the percentage of information required.

The Rule of Thumb.  Once the information needed is in the 40 to 70 percent range, go with your head, heart and gut.  Don't take action if you have only enough information to give you less than a 40 percent chance of being right, but don't wait until you have enough facts to be 100 percent sure, because by then it is almost too late. 

Procrastination steals time.  Today, excessive delays in the name of information-gathering breeds "analysis paralysis." Procrastination in the name of reducing risk actually increases risk.

Hidden feelings about the task.  Our assumptions and beliefs based on our past history are always reflected in our decisions and attitudes.  It is important to weight the circumstance and identify our emotions about the task.  How important is the decision?  Are your actions and potential decisions based on reality?  Remember, all decisions have an emotional component that may need to be challenged. 

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Self-coaching guide for Career Women:

 

When Doing It All Won't Do: A self-coaching guide for career women. (ebook edition $0.99, Workbook Edition in paperback $13.41) 

 

   When Doing It All Won't Do: A Self-Coaching Guide for Career Women--Workbook Edition--Paperback $13.41   

Improving the Quality of Your Life   By  Author M.B. Tosi   on April 1, 2013

Every now and then a person runs across a great book that really helps improve the quality of life. This is such a book! Written by top coaches of executive women, Barb McEwen and John Agno, the goal of When Doing It All Won’t Do is to develop solutions and strategies to help women’s lives be easier, richer, happier, and saner.

 

It’s based on the premise that doing it all won’t do. If you are a woman who is weary and stressed and taking on too much and struggling to juggle it all, this book is dedicated to helping you find the enjoyment and satisfaction you expected with your success.

 

Well-organized with real solutions and a helpful workbook section, this book focuses on developing your signature talents to do what you do best, developing a formula for success, and prioritizing your values and goals.  A great read!