In business and in life we’re presented with data. It’s neither positive nor negative, it’s just plain data that we’re given the opportunity to attach meaning to. Learning that your biggest account just switched to your competitor is actually neutral data. We’re in control of how to respond to the data.
When I make decisions in business I analyze the data on a cerebral level and then I observe how I “feel” about it. Both play off of each other. A conversation goes on between my head and my heart – not so much my “gut”, but definitely my heart – and I trust whatever bio-feedback I get.
Many years ago, I read Gavin de Becker’s brilliant book, The Gift of Fear, and I was awestruck by the powerful examples he included to prove how the body reacts far quicker than the mind and how, if we pay attention to what our bodies register at any given moment, we can tap into a powerful resource that can protect and guide us through life. I pay attention to my body – it responds immediately.
What’s appropriate? There is no such thing as appropriate! Whatever someone chooses is appropriate – for them. There is no wrong answer. Everyone gets to choose how they interpret data and life in general.
Today I had the pleasure of interviewing T. Harv Eker, author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. Our discussion was engaging and he shared that everyone has a story – the story we tell ourselves about who we are, what we can accomplish, and essentially, how we view the world. He noted that the story isn’t right or wrong – it just is. But that story defines and confines what we’re open to in life.
I feel the same way about decision making – the data doesn’t define or confine what we create, it’s the story we attach to it…
