Although it’s been 53 years ago, I clearly remember President Kennedy’s speech delivered to 35,000 people in the Rice Stadium located in Texas. In forceful tones he announced, “We choose to go to the moon.” In less than seven years, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface.
Here’s part of that inspiring speech:
You possess the one power greater than a nuclear bomb. And it is a power you use every day: it is the power to choose.
Before you think reading this article is a waste of time, give me a few more minutes.
Remind yourself of the powerful results of choices made throughout history.
- During the Korean War President Harry Truman decided to ignore the advice of Gen. Douglas McArthur who wanted to drop as many as 30 atom bombs on the enemy.
- A young kid by the name of Steve Jobs decided to build a computer in his garage.
- Henry Ford decided to mass produce a car and developed the first-ever assembly line.
- Rosa Parks decided to remain in her seat and not give it up to a white passenger.
- Orville and Wilbur Wright decided it was possible to create a flying contraption.
All of this happened because someone exercised the power to choose and made a decision. That’s where everything starts. You can fly across the country in hours because the Wright brothers made a decision. I’m writing this on an Apple computer because Steve Jobs made a decision.
The only power greater than a nuclear bomb is the power to choose. Not everyone uses the power in a positive way. Some people use it to make negative life-changing decisions.
Think of these decisions:
- Decca records decided not to sign a music group called The Beatles.
- President Roosevelt decided to drop two atom bombs on Japan.
- The helmsman of the Titanic turned to avoid an iceberg but turned the wrong way.
- A military leader of the Trojans accepted the gift of a huge horse from their Greek enemy.
- In 1846 the Jacob and George Donner brothers decided to take a shortcut over a high mountain pass.
The only power greater than a nuclear bomb is the power to choose.
A quick Google search reveals the average person exercises the power to choose and makes around 35,000 decisions every day. That’s an astounding number. No wonder we take the power of choice and the subject of making decisions for granted. Many of those decisions are made while on auto-pilot. Do you put on the left shoe first or the right? Should I grab the toothpaste first or the toothbrush? Should I put gas in the car now or wait until the next gas station? Such decisions are quick and easy
But critical decisions are not so easily made. Making good decisions is difficult but vital. When handling a power greater than a nuclear bomb, extreme care should be exercised.
Here’s 5 quick thoughts about using your power to choose as you make decisions:
1. Accept the fact that the power to choose is greater than a nuclear bomb.
I hope the examples you’ve read convinces you of this truth. Your ability to choose is AMAZING. This means you must make important decisions with great care.
2. Does the decision you need to make have the potential to change your life?
It’s impossible for you to examine every decision you need to make in detail. Figure out which decisions have the maximum impact upon your life. Focus on those decisions.
3. Be wary of making a quick decision if the outcome is critical.
A hurried decision is often a bad decision. Take the time you need to analyze the data and options before making important decisions. But if you must make an important decision quickly this might be helpful:
Fun infographic: How to decide faster. Amen. http://t.co/Iy5ZWywTL4 pic.twitter.com/ic8bcmsK2p
— joneshuyettPartners (@jhpadv) April 7, 2015
4. Use a decision-making plan to help make critical decisions.
Here’s 8 quick steps to follow: identify the exact problem or opportunity, gather information, analyze, list options, evaluate alternatives, select the best alternative, make the decision, and assess the results.
5. Make your decision remembering no decision is perfect.
Too many times people fail to make a decision because they are waiting for the perfect set of circumstances to exist. Failure to decide IS a decision and it is a bad decision. Don’t allow fear of not making a perfect decision force you into making a bad indecision.
YOU have the power. It’s the tremendous power to choose and it allows you to make life-changing decisions.
People who come to this later chapter in life are often reluctant to make decisions. They’ve been burned or still suffer from the results of making ill-informed decisions. Put that behind you. This is a new day. Dare to exercise your power greater than a nuclear bomb. Make a decision!
What decision can you make this day which will improve your life?
Yesss! #5. Waiting for the perfect choice. Sometimes that’s fear, I’d say. Heck, I think I’m doing it right now. Just waiting. It’s a pretty good procrastination tool!
And, then again, sometimes we think we have, or have made, the perfect choice; often we end up finding out otherwise.
Regardless, this is a good reminder Randy: Just Do It!
Yes indeed. Just do it! I once read a leadership expert who said indecision is worst than making a bad decision.
Love this, Randy, thank you!
Hi Libby. Thanks for reading!
I always end up delaying decisions by wanting more info, then more info. It comes from my personality type, analytical, and logical.
So how do you ever make a decision? I guess there comes a time when you just realize you have all the info you need?
Most of the time I love having the power that’s greater than a bomb. But once in awhile I just want to blame everything on somebody else and throw in the towel! Ha Ha Just being honest here, folks.
Honesty is a good thing!