I had a call last week with an entrepreneur.
Her name was Jennifer.
She's working on advanced studies at Harvard.
She works with organizations in helping teams discover their strengths.
This allows individuals to understand one another, better.
This self-awareness results in teams working together more effectively.
She was investigating a new program for a partnership she was thinking about developing.
I could tell by her language and tone of voice that she was uncertain as to next steps.
Since I often don't show up with answers, I shared about heuristics.
As entrepreneurs, we often make a lot of decisions.
Decisions that, if taken too long, can slow down business execution or get in our way.
Delayed decisions can affect sales, cultural morale, and overall business execution.
Having the self-awareness that one can take longer-than-desired to make a decision, heuristics can be used to decide quicker.
A heuristic can be thought of as an approach, technique, framework, or mental shortcut, that can help you think through decisions quicker.
Here are a few example heuristics:
1. Hell Yes or Hell No.
On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 is the "hell yes." Let's say you want to have a more inspiring, fun, and true-to-you life. Using the "hell yes or hell no" heuristic goes like this. If you have a decision that comes up, is it a hell yes, or a hell no? If it's not immediately a "hell yes," you must call it what it is – a hell no. This can be applied to friends, clients, things you own, the types of projects or work you do, and more.
Many many years ago, I used to live in a sorta-kinda-maybe have-to-convince-myself-of-it world... and that become boring, rote, and not aligned to what I deeply wanted. Using the "hell yes or hell no" heuristic serves me in a life of adventure.
2. Is it desired and uncomfortable?
I recognize the sensations in myself when I feel uncomfortable, and when I know I desire something, and I have learned (and still am learning) to move in that direction. I do this because it aligns with my future vision I hold for myself.
Sometimes, what you desire the most may feel uncomfortable to get or even get near. That may not always look like a "hell yes," because it feels edgy. It feels outside of your comfort zone. Some may call it courage to pursue it.
3. Am I being selfish, or am I pleasing someone?
Around 2008, I remember posting on Facebook that I was a recovering people pleaser. Because I hold this self-awareness, I know I have had a default tendancy to act in ways that pleases others. Being aware of this allows me to use this heuristic, or mental shortcut, to quickly know if I want to do something for myself or for someone else.
Practice of this over the years eventually made this heuristic instinctual.
I understand that to create the future I want to create, and to serve others in a way that is true to me, I must be selfish. And in doing that, I make the greatest impact I can make – and that changes lives and companies.
4. Do I get more than I give?
Knowing and believing that I am getting more out of something than I am giving, ensures that I don't end up resenting what I do because I give more than I get.
As an example, when I used to examine projects I might take on in my previous company, I'd list everything I get from the project – energy, experience, reputation, brand, legacy, learnings, relationships, etc. If I don't get more than I give out of something, I kindly pass.
Imagine the friendship where you give 10 to the friend but get 5 out of it. These dynamics can be life draining, not life giving. I live a life that gives me energy and I do that by getting more than I give.
In Summary
Keep in mind, these heuristics are rooted in my version of reality, based off my self-awareness, so that I can decide quicker in ways that serve my lifelong vision.
I invite you to examine your heuristics. Use a future vision to create them.
Examine the heuristics that serve you, as well as the ones that don't.
Adapt as necessary.
