Is Either/Or Thinking Keeping You Stuck?

When people come to me because they want to make a change in their career or business, among their top stumbling blocks in their path is indecision.

They know they want to do something different, but they can’t seem to decide what that different thing will be.

Here’s how this goes (maybe you can relate) —

Them: I don’t want to be an accountant anymore. I think I’d like to be a writer. But I’m also considering starting a floral design business. I just can’t decide…

Me: Why not start a floral design business and use your writing skills to tell your story and market your business? Or become a writer and do beautiful floral designs for your retreats and book signings?

Them: I’m great at offering leadership development consulting and executive coaching. But I also coach clients in [insert mystical, esoteric, woo woo modality of choice]. I can’t decide which side of my practice to grow…

Me: Why not incorporate the woo woo into your leadership coaching? You might be surprised by how receptive seemingly buttoned up corporate types are to the woo!

Them: I wish I could be be more creative, but I don’t know if I should start my own creative business…I’m scared to give up my paycheck…I can’t decide what to do.

Me: Why not get a new job that allows you to be more creative?

(Obviously there’s more to the coaching conversation than this, but you get the gist.😉)

The sad truth is, indecision can send your dreams of doing something different into a tailspin.

Sometimes when clients come to me they’ve been stuck between either/or for YEARS. Frankly, they were torturing themselves, ruminating over their decision, not moving forward with their life.

Because either/or thinking doesn’t just keep you stuck; it also limits your choices.

The core problem is thinking two things are diametrically opposed that simply aren’t. You don’t have to choose one over the other.

When you try to force yourself to choose one thing over the other, you may overlook the possibility of cojoining — blending two options to create an even better alternative.

You may miss out on the opportunity to dabble in both, scratch an itch, mix and match, experiment, explore, and let it be messy.

There’s a world of possibility out there!