From http://www.selfgrowthtest.com - 02/01/09 - "Decisions Critical for Success":

Positive Thinking - Your Decisions are Critical for Success
By Doug Hart - Jan. 13, 2009
 

How good are you at making decisions? How do you know if you ar? Well, some people seem to make decisions very quickly, and others seem to take forever. Which method is the best? In general I believe being decisive is a very good thing, in other words being able to quickly weigh your options and decide what seems to be the best choice. Look at it this way, if you are the type of person who can never seem to make up their mind, doesn't it make your decisions that much harder and painful? So what is the real problem, is it fear of making the wrong decision maybe? I believe in most cases, that is the case.

What if you make the wrong decision and it causes problems? Well, that is always possible, but not making a decision in the first place is normally worse than making a bad decision. Let me explain that, because I'm sure that doesn't sound logical. Say I put off making a choice of whether I should take a new job that a friend told me about recently. He says it would be different than what I'm doing now, although some of the same skills are involved and I do qualify in many ways for this job. Ok, I'm thinking I "kind of" like my current job, so what are the benefits of the new job that would tempt me? Well, in order to make an informed decision about anything you must weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks. Make a list and take into account your personal choices and how important different aspects of each item on the list really are. As an example of the job:

* - good thing - the pay is slightly higher
* - bad thing - it's in the city and I'm not crazy about that
* - good thing - the company is doing well, my current employer isn't
* - good thing - it's something different, shake up my life a little
* - bad thing - it's different, and I may not like doing it

Ok, you see where I'm going with this right? These are all totally hypothetical reasons which I just made up, but very possibly things you may have to decide in the future. You also have to thing about the intangibles, such as what if you don't take this job and then get laid off from your current job? Are you by nature a risk-taker or do you look for the security first in any new position? If you value security and safety, perhaps staying at your current job is more prudent because at least it's a known factor. Not knowing what is going to happen is pretty scary for a lot of people and not worth the risk. I guess if you are going to lie awake at night worrying about the job situation, it might be a bad idea.

Alright, that's just a hypothetical situation. But if you have a real problem making important decisions about your future, perhaps you need to evaluate why that is true. Some people just don't like to make decisions. If that's the case, I suggest you try to change that, since making decisions in life is a very critical skill that every adult needs to have. Are you really that afraid of making the wrong decision? What's the worst that could happen, you will have to change your mind and maybe lose a little time, money, etc. in the process. Back to reality, folks. We all have made bad decisions at one time or another! We just have to learn from them, that's all. Try to figure out why it was a bad decision, what brought you to that decision, and how you would change that next time. Did you weight all the options first? Did you go with your "gut" instinct, because usually that is the best way to go, although not always. Perhaps you have a friend that is knowledgeable about the situation you're in and asking him or her would be beneficial.

Ok, one more point - sometimes it's a great idea to take a chance, take advantage of an opportunity, and just go for it. If your decision is anything about that kind of situation, I say go for it. But that's just me...

To your continued success and happiness!
 

Author's Bio

Doug Hart, CHO of GetPassionForLife.com.

I've spent many years studying psychology, philosophy, NLP, and motivation. My particular focus is on the biggest question in life - what makes us happy? I think lifes more of a journey than a destination, and I would like to make your journey much more exhilarating, passionate, loving, and unforgettable! Take the time to visit us at GetPassionForLife.com, the happiness place.

AND NOW SOME CATCH-UP TIME... :

    From Richard Dawes (NNHS / Hampton HS - '62) of VA - 12/25/09 - "Merry Christmas":

To all my friends

As we move into the New Year, we have a tendency to forget what this season is all about. It is what Christ has given us, not the parties, though I do love them, not the presents, though I do love them, Getting a present is nice, but most of the time, our families have a hard time getting it exactly right. It doesn’t matter, they are just trying their best to tell you they love you. and certainly not the shopping. It can be fun though at times.

At this Christmas season, my wish is that we can move beyond conflicts; beyond our differences, to the things we have in common, to mutual respect through patience, tolerance and understanding.


Merry Christmas
Peace Love and Prosperity

Richard/Dicky Dawes

   Thank you so much for these beautiful thoughts, Dicky!

   From F.A. Saunders (Hampton HS - '64) of VA - 12/27/08 - "Stories behind songs":

   WOWZERS!!! Thanks so much for this cool site, F.A.! I'm always fascinated by such things!

AND FINALLY:

From Bill Roady ('60) of VA - 02/02/09 - "Are you Martha or Maxine?":

Are you Martha or Maxine? I am a little of both......


Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake ! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!


To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix. Keeps in the pantry for up to a year.


When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Go to the bakery! Hell, they'll even decorate it for you!


If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.'

If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: 'I made it, you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!'


Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Celery? Never heard of it!


Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I don't.


Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! All your pains go away!


If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.


Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Leftover wine??????????? HELLO!!!!!!!


Lastly, if you don't forward this to 1 of your friends within the next 5 minutes, your belly button will unscrew and your butt will fall off. Really... it's true! Have I ever lied to you?

     Thanks, Bill!

REUNION ALERTS:

The Class of '69 is planning its 40-Year Reunion.  If you have not received an email from Jean Baker Howell, she needs your email.  Please contact her at hokie13mom@cox.net.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

1. April 23, 24, & 25, 2009 - Class of 1954 will hold their 55th-Year Reunion. For details contact Dr. Harry Simpson at 804-694-0346 or email him at hdsdds@aol.com - CLASS OF 1954

PRAYER ROLL: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/requests-prayers.html - updated 02/02/09

NNHS BLOG: http://nnhs.wordpress.com/ - updated 01/09/09

"Standing in the Shadows of Love" midi courtesy of http://richard.student.utwente.nl/midi.php3?directory=midi/soft
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/22/05
Thanks, Dave!

"Standing in the Shadows of Love" lyrics courtesy of http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_four_tops/standing_in_the_shadows_of_love.html
also at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/22/05
Thanks again, Dave!

Animated Happy Groundhog Day clip art courtesy of http://www.zwani.com/graphics/groundhog_day/ - 02/02/08

Animated Paw Print Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maggieoh/Holidays/G/g_index.html#WOGMM – 01/29/05

Animated Tiny Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!

Back to NNHS Newsletters - 2009

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