How Jumping Off a Train Helped Me Create a Decision-Making Hack

“Oh my God, this is our STOP!”

It was 2005. 

I was 30 years old. 

My husband and I, having an early life crisis, had quit our corporate jobs to join the Peace Corps in Bulgaria. 

At this moment we were traveling from the capitol to see our host families.

 But the trains in Bulgaria weren’t big on signage or communication.

And we were too late. Because as we scrambled to gather our backpacks and run toward the unsteady platform between cars, the train began to move. 

I got there first and pulled on the screeching, swinging metal door, revealing the slab of cement below. 

My eyes bulged at the distance between the train and the platform. 

People jumped off trains all the time in the movies, I reasoned, forgetting that the characters in these movies were usually being chased by a man with a gun. 

Adrenaline rose toward the surface of my skin. 

I lowered one foot onto the metal grate--my black Dansko shoe wobbling on its rubber sole. 

“Andrea,” I heard my husband say from behind me, “Do NOT jump off the train!”

******

Sometimes when we see other people doing cool stuff, we want to do it too. 

Skydiving. 

A relationship.

Starting a business. 

Eating a chocolate-covered frozen banana. 

It's only when we take a bite that we realize how hard it is. 

And that's why STRUCTURED DECISION-MAKING is so important.

I've struggled with decisions most of my life. 

Mainly because I have a hard time tapping into MYself and MY needs vs. the rest of the world. (BTW, therapy and plant medicine helps with this!)

And I've learned that when I can CONNECT to myself, it makes connecting with others much easier and more authentic.

And it makes decisions easier.

So I came up with what I call the Human Decision Hack.

1. Stillness: When I stop moving, I become more present and am in a position to make a good decision. 

2. Breathe: When I breathe into an idea, I understand it from my body and that's important.  

3. Head: When I think linearly, do a little pro/con action, I feel confident that I've used my expertise.

4. Gut: When I listen to the whispers in the backstairs of my heart...and differentiate them from my anxiety....I trust them. 

Whether it's about jumping off a train or jumping into an online course, this helps me make brave decisions.

(I bet @Ashley Depaulis has something smart to say about this! She's that Recess gal!)

How do you make decisions? How has that worked for you? 

P.S. My clients tend to decide about my services on the spot. They honor our chemistry and get brave about their brand and it goes well.

I then HONOR their decision with my Human Decisive Discount. Schedule your appointment here.

I dare you to SHARE. And a thousand thanks if you do.

#life #decisions #entrepreneur #travel #youarebrave