I have to make a tough decision - whether to do something or not. I have to weigh how my decision will impact others. I have to communicate that decision to people. I have to consider how that decision will impact my personal life. What will happen if I decide wrong?
At least that's how my thinking started out. Then I stopped, and took a breath.
What is it that I have to make?
I get to make a decision to do something.
Who is the decision for?
The decision is for me.
What is the decision for?
The decision is for choosing what I do.
What are the implications of the decision?
None that can't be overcome.
Then, why am I so afraid of it?
I guess I am not.
I can make the decision, ship it to the people who need to know it, and go on living my life.
What caused so much anxiety?
I didn't stop to define what I needed to do, who it was for, what it was for, and what happens as a result of it. I was scared of how others might perceive my decision. But that perception ultimately doesn't matter, life will go on.
I learned three things from this problem that I recently solved.
Creating an outline of what I fear helps. Can’t color in what you don’t see.
You don't get better at being an artist unless you ship your work. And,
Someone who makes decisions, makes art.