I was watching a movie the other night, The Adjustment Bureau. In the movie there is a group, who’s function it is, to keep people on track in order to fullfill a predetermined destiny.

The main character, however, is intent on changing his destiny. This got me thinking about the choices we make. What drives our deciesion making and how do we know if it the right decision?

When we were chidren and our parents asked, why did you do that? This was normally in response to a particularly outrageous or stupid action. Our response many times as a child, was because Little Jonny said i should. At this point, our parents would say “If Little Jonny said jump in the fire, would you?”.

So why do we make decisions that in hind sight are not great decisions? We get told by others not to do something because they tried it and it failed. Why don’t we rely on their experience? I believe, we make the best decisions based on our past experience, not someone else’s. Have you ever not made a decision because someone told you not to and kept wondering, would things have been different if i had made the decision for myself? I have! In order to make the right decision for you, you need to experience the consequences of that decision.

Simon Sinek, talks about the “Why” of a business. “People dont buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” If your decisions are made by just listening to other people, you may not even “buy into” your own decision. You will not follow that decision with the passion that is required to make the best out of it and inevitably if it fails, you can say “oh but i took the advice of Jonny”.

As Entrepreneurs we make decisions for our businesses every day. Although i do advocate making your decisions based on sound advice, this decision needs to become your decision as if you had made it due to past experience. You need to believe that it is the right decision for your business.

During strategic planning sessions, our methodology used in Reach Business Advisory asks the decision makers the question of “Why are we in business?” The answer becomes their “Purpose Statement”. All decisions made for the business from that day on needs to answer the following question. Does this decision move us towards our purpose, or take us away from our purpose. If moving towards our purpose, the decision is right for the company.

In concluding, I believe we are all destined for greatness in our on way. Make decision for you and your business based on good experiences and that will result in moving you positively towards your purpose. These decisions will always be right at that point in time. Always take responcibility for those decision and accept the outcome graciously.

We hope you find our blog relevent and food for thought. We value feedback and comments.