Life is a continuous flow of decisions. You may not think about many of the decisions you make, but you are making them regardless. Then, sometimes you are faced with a situation that demands that you make a difficult decision. Continue reading to find out how I am making difficult decisions in my life.
Most of us would prefer that life go along smoothly. However, that’s not how life typically goes. Change isn’t easy for most of us. Things might seem steady for a while and then you are faced with an unexpected situation that demands a decision. That happened to me and now I am faced with decisions I really didn’t want to have to make!
So, how do you make difficult decisions? I hope this post will shed some light on that for both you and me!
Step 1: Accept the Reality of the Situation.
Most of us are creatures of habit and when faced with a difficult decision, we may be inclined to hide our heads in the sand. But, that won’t solve the problem we are facing. So, how do you make a difficult decision? First, we need to come to a place where we see the situation for what it is and determine to accept the reality of the situation. It doesn’t mean we have to like it, but we must accept it.
I would have preferred that my publisher stay in business and continue publishing my children’s books. That would have been a much easier and more comfortable path for me. However, the reality of the situation is that the company closed and I am now faced with the decision of what to do with my books and my love of writing unique and meaningful books for children.
Step 2: Prepare for the Reality of the Difficult Decisions.
Unlike our perception of the ostrich burying its head in the sand to escape danger, the reality is that an ostrich puts its head in the sand to prepare a nest! Let’s take this example and prepare for the reality of the decision we are facing! You may ask “How do I do that?”.
You need to do your research to reveal what your choices are. Prepare yourself by arming yourself with options. Prepare your nest!
For me, I have limited options. They are: 1) stop writing books (NOT an option!); 2) find a new traditional publisher; 3) find a non-traditional publisher to help me self-publish or, 4) self-publish my books under my name by myself.
Step 3: Research your Options.
Depending on what decision you are facing, your options may be many or few. Make a list of those options and do your due diligence in researching each one. Just by looking at your list, you may be able to cross some options off without doing much research, but once you get to THE LIST, thoroughly research each option.
In my situation, after thinking about my options, I have crossed off the “stop writing books” and “find a new traditional publisher”. Writing is in my blood and I just can’t stop the stories in my head. I started writing a brand new book just yesterday, to stop writing is not an option for me!
I am crossing off the prospect of finding a new traditional publisher for a couple of reasons. First, because I can’t imagine how much work it would be to market my 15 published books to a publisher. Additionally, I don’t think it would be likely that a publisher would accept all 15 books for republication. In light of that, I couldn’t choose between my books.
I also crossed off finding a non-traditional publisher to help me self-publish because the cost is astronomical. I don’t have that kind of money available.
Step 4: Look at the Remaining List to Help You Make the Difficult Decision.
Making a difficult decision means that eventually, you DO have to make a decision. After crossing off the obvious ones, and doing the research on the remaining choices, what you will have left will be possible actions. For me, there was one! You may have more than one option left on your list. Now you will have to make a decision.
Now that the list of options is narrowed down, look at your remaining options objectively. You can make a “Pros and Cons” list. Writing down everything you can think of whether or not you think it is small and inconsequential. As your list of pros and cons emerges, the “best” solution will become apparent.
Now, as I have found in the past on occasion, you may not like the choice that is emerging as the “winner”. If that is the case, analyze why you may feel that way. Perhaps you left off a “pro or con” from the list. Reevaluate and then take another look.
More Resources
I found a couple of articles that may go beyond the scope of this post. If you need more help, check out this article first, and then this one.
Will You Help Me Make My Difficult Decision?
I have decided to self-publish my books under my own publishing name: de Good Life Books. Now the difficult decision is which one do I publish first?
Check out my list of books by clicking this link. Please read each book description so that you get an idea of the content of each book. Now I will throw in a curveball. I have two books that were written in the last couple of years that are ready to be published. “Just the Right Size” is Book Two in the Micah Book Series. “Dream Big, Little One” was written to inspire children (and adults) to dream their dreams and make them realities.
As always, I sincerely THANK YOU for following me and reading my blog. Have a great day and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!