Choosing in a target-rich environment can be tricky. Having multiple options and competing demands makes decision making difficult. Add FOMO (fear of missing out) into the mix, and there is a recipe for anxiety.
Let me give you an example of the problem.
Imagine for a moment that you need to cull your wardrobe. Now bring to mind all the items in your wardrobe. While visualising the myriad of things, from different eras, and trends, themes and whims, try to come up with one word that captures the style of your wardrobe.
Difficult? What stays and what goes? How do you know? What ends up happening is we keep it all, because it’s too hard to choose. Or we throw it all out, which is really radical.
Now let’s try it the other way around.
Imagine for a moment a style that you think represents the way you like to dress, or the way you would describe your fashion – contemporary, classic, casual, fun, sophisticated, versatile?
Now look at your wardrobe. Which clothes in your wardrobe match the style you have in mind, and which don’t?
Is it easier to see which fit, and which should be flung?
Having a style, theme, or context makes it easier to decide what is in, and what is out, what fits and what doesn’t, what to keep and what to discard.
Its the same in your business and in your life. Having a context for decision making is not only helpful, its vital. Do I do this, or do I do that? With a context, it’s much easier to make a decision.
Thinking in a context, rather than a content way, can be liberating. When you have loads of content, but no context, decision making is difficult. And in our content-rich world, full of advice, information and choices, context has never been more important.