“Wherever you see a successful person or business, someone once made a courageous decision.”  -Peter Drucker

There is no doubt that the new year is an excellent reason to start with a new resolution. Resolution is nothing but a decision. According to the definitions from the Oxford dictionary, the resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. It is the quality of being determined or resolute.

Now the question comes, how do you know which decision to take and which to leave? What are your to-dos and what are your not to-dos? What are the factors you need to consider?

Answering these questions, I would refer to the equation introduced by the New York Times best-selling author and high-performance coach and the author of High-Performance Habits, Brendon Burchard. Here I also would also like to add ROR (return on relationship). To me, people with whom you are surrounded matters the most to keep up your right mindset, your energy and your Mindspeed.

I like to visit this equation every time when I need to make a decision for 3 reasons: 1. It is easy and quick, which helps me not to spend a longer time being confused. 2. It is supportive of long term sustainable impact which counts on our wellbeing and 3. It does start from self but also includes the people we spend our time with.

Factors to consider:

T = Time

E = Energy (physical and emotional)

R = Resources

M = Money

S = Sanity (mental and emotional)

ROI = Return on Investment

ROR = Return on Relationship (people who support your journey, which is hugely important for your success fuel)

FV = Future Value

L = Life Style (improved, healthy, wellbeing)

PD = Personal Development (that serves whom you want to become)

These factors are a good start to choosing the opportunity, taking the risk, and most importantly, taking the decision. I came across this equation in 2015 when I took my decision to move to Australia by leaving a respectful mid-level secured career. At that time, I could see the bigger picture by putting my decision into the equation. Now when I am deciding on settling down here in Australia while focusing on keeping building my work of passion and supporting my teenage son, this equation immensely helps me follow my values with every decision I make.

I realised the factors on the left side (TERMS) would be a considerable investment. But I could also see the greater return on future values, lifestyle changes and personal development. This equation teaches you to think strategically by making a decision based on the short-term ROI because that is a balance sheet mindset, and you need to make a decision that serves the future as well.

On the other hand, if any factor in the left side (TERMS) gets higher, that directly impacts the factors on the right side. For example, when you try to stay highly focused on one job, you tend to pass the whole day and long nights by staying focused on that one thing. But staying too focused takes much mental energy, which directly negatively impacts your lifestyle and performance. This equation is good to work through, and connecting it back to planning at the beginning of the week is helpful. It allows you to have an insight into the total balance of your work and life and outcome and efforts.

The Decision Equatoion:

Time + Energy + Resource + Money + Sanity < ROI + ROR + FV + PD + L

By observing the factors, it is helpful to understand where I am increasing the cost or under-considering the value. What are the elements I need to minimise to make others better? For example, if you want to improve personal development, you also need to allocate some time by not compromising your critical necessity time, i.e. your sleep time and family time.

You can use this equation for your big decision to do or not do to from the beginning of this new year. Feel free to write to me if you need help with planning.

Onwards,

Ayesha