Ever found yourself dreading every step on the path to your goal? You’re not alone. If anything, it is a glaring red flag that the goal itself may not be worth following through on. So how do you decide on what decisions, changes, and goals are worth pursuing? And how do you keep from worrying and regretting that your decision isn’t the right one? It comes down to making decisions with purpose.

Choosing the Best Decision for Now

I want you to think about making a decision or setting a goal from the standpoint that you can only make a decision with the information you have now. You can only set goals with what you know about yourself, the opportunity, and your desires at this moment. It is unrealistic to expect to know every outcome and what’s going to happen. Instead, focus on making the best decision for your current self with the information you have. 

So how can you know you’re making the “right decision”? By figuring out why it is worth it for you to be taking the steps towards your goals even if it doesn’t turn out the way you want. Even if it’s not the best, most amazing thing that will ever happen in your life, how could it still be worth it? Look at your ‘why’. What is your ‘why’ for picking this goal? For example, what is your why for starting that business; going after a career change; seeking a promotion? This approach shifts the emphasis from the outcome to the journey itself.

Embrace the Journey, Regardless of the Destination

Incorporating this perspective into your decision-making process can be transformative. It liberates you from the burden of needing every choice to lead to a specific result. Instead, you start appreciating the lessons and growth that come from the journey itself.

Remember this: You either get the results you wanted or the lessons you needed. When you approach life with this mindset, every decision becomes an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

How to Face the Unknown

Consider the scenario of starting a new business. I dove into entrepreneurship without prior experience, fully aware that failure was a likely outcome. However, I found reasons why it was worth it regardless:

• Learning entrepreneurship skills: I recognized that even if the business failed, I’d acquire invaluable skills in marketing, sales, and operations.
• Self-motivation: Entrepreneurship demanded self-discipline and motivation, teaching me to stay on track even without external pressures from a boss.
• Confronting judgment: I had to face the judgment and opinions of others whether I liked it or not, developing resilience and self-assurance.

I had never run a business and I had no skills in this arena. I was very likely to fail in a lot of ways. And yet, these were gains I could achieve regardless of the business’s ultimate success. I reframed my goal from just creating a profitable business to acquiring a wealth of knowledge and personal growth.

The Confidence You’ve Been Missing

When you are able to really look at your why, you become able to consider how your decision could be the best thing for you. It will give you confidence in the decision that you’re making regardless of what the result is.

So, the next time you’re faced with a decision or setting a new goal, think deeply about why it’s worth it, even if it doesn’t turn out as planned. Embrace the journey, and you’ll find that every step, regardless of the destination, holds its own unique treasures.