Have you ever noticed how one good decision leads to another good decision, which leads to yet another good decision, and so on? Chances are, if you ask someone who is experiencing success in some aspect of their life how they got there, they’ll be able to recall a specific point in time, a particular decision that they made, or a certain risk they took that led them to where they are today.
While it can be argued that success starts with one conscious decision to move in a distinct direction, it’s not really that simple. Making a decision is the first step, but actually taking that first step can be like moving a mountain sometimes. There are many components to the first decision that eventually leads to the “one good decision leads to another good decision” domino effect.
Accountability and Motivation
Every first good decision is composed of accountability, goal setting, and momentum. When discussing accountability, there’s being accountable to yourself and being accountable to others. Holding yourself accountable is an aspect of intrinsic motivation, motivation that comes from within. Intrinsic motivation is perhaps one of the most important mental exercises you can undertake. It requires introspective thought, self-evaluation and self-realization. Most importantly, it requires making a significant and difficult commitment to yourself. When you make a commitment to yourself it’s solely up to you to keep that commitment, and if you don’t maintain the commitment to yourself no one HAS to know…but YOU will know. However, when you keep the commitment that you made to yourself, the pay-off is tremendous because of what you are able to learn about yourself. It becomes a jumping off point for a whole world of possibilities…a first step.
Just as important as being accountable to yourself, is having someone else to whom you are accountable, an accountability partner. This is an example of extrinsic motivation, or motivation that comes from an external source. Consider the feeling you have when you know that you are serving as an example for someone else, when you know that another person is counting on you to show up in a certain capacity, or when you share personal goals with a trusted confidant who you know will keep you on task. These are simple actions that establish accountability to someone other than yourself, and when you are accountable to others you tend to show up.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is another huge component in making that first good decision. Having your sights set on a big, shiny goal is great. It creates an “eyes on the prize” type of excitement. This excitement helps to put you in the right frame of mind to brainstorm about how to achieve that end goal. But simply having a big goal is not enough. You must have smaller goals that lead to the big goal, a goal ladder of sorts. The goal ladder provides an outline for success and a plan to achieve the end goal; it serves the big goal. Checking off each small goal is motivating, and should be celebrated. The first good decision that sets off that domino effect of additional good decisions is oftentimes intimately tied to achieving that first small goal on your goal ladder. Setting smaller goals and achieving them helps to keep you moving in the right direction.
Momentum
Finally, momentum is the domino effect. It does not simply happen as a result of that first good decision, or achieving the first small goal. The possibility for momentum is always there, but it needs to be fed and maintained. There are many tricks of the trade for keeping the momentum going. The action of writing, of physically spelling out your thoughts and intentions onto paper is one of the most effective tools for making sense of the excitement and inspiration that starts flowing once that first hint of success is achieved. The brain juices get moving and you will either feed them or ignore them. Putting your goals and intentions onto paper is acknowledging them, giving them validity and possibility. Discover what gets the juices flowing. Is it music, a podcast or book, conversation with a specific person who brings out the visionary in you, a deadline? What environment helps to spark creativity? Sitting at your desk near a window, having a space heater at your feet, essential oils in a diffuser? At what point during your day are you most inspired? Early in the morning, late in the evening, right after a workout? Finally, schedule the time for brainstorming, and eliminate the distractions. Sharing what’s in your heart with others may evoke feelings of vulnerability, but it allows you the opportunity to further flesh out your thoughts, get valuable feedback, and create relationships that are built on trust, honesty and openness. Ask for opinions, dare your people to poke holes in your ideas so you can continue to flesh them out. Turn the ideas into mini goals with a deadline. Be flexible when you find yourself pulled in one direction or another, but always keep that end goal in mind.
Examples of one good decision leading to another are everywhere. Consider the act of waking up early in the morning. Simply putting your feet on the floor is that first step, literally and figuratively. Once your feet hit the floor you begin to walk towards the next step in your waking up routine; One step leads to another, which leads to another. Making the decision to put your feet on the floor rather than hitting snooze is what starts your day.
Another example that is undoubtedly familiar with fitness professionals is the initial decision to sign up for a fitness class, or a first session with a trainer. That one decision so very often leads to creating relationships based on a healthy activity, choosing more nutritious food, making sleep a priority, and the realization that prioritizing self care makes for being a better friend, employee, parent, sibling, essentially enhancing every relationship of value in life. One good decision leading to another good decision, leading to another good decision.
What first good decision are you waiting to make? What can you do today to get closer to taking that step?
