When I was little, I would play this game with my parents or older cousins called the "What if?" game. It was a simple game, in my opinion, because it was easy for me, while it guaranteed that whoever I played with would be annoyed out of their minds. Keep in mind, however, that I never told anyone I was playing this game, I would just start playing it. I would begin by thinking of some outlandish subject that only 7-year-olds can think of and formulate a question out of that subject. After asking the first question, I would proceed to ask even more outlandish "what if" questions to each and every response that was given to me. A game would generally look like this:
Me: "How will Santa bring me toys if we're staying in a hotel?"
Mom: "He will bing them grandma and grandpa's house."
Me: "'What if' he doesn't go to their house because they've been bad?"
Mom: "Grandparents are never bad."
Me: "'What if' they are?"
Mom: "Then they'll get coal and you won't."
Me: "'What if' they're allergic to coal and have to go to the hospital?"
Mom: (finally annoyed) "Austin, hush, or you will get all the coal."
It was a GREAT game, except for one thing: it taught me to question everything with "what if."
Do you ever have those moments in life when you're flat out confused while facing a big decision and have no idea what to do? You could choose one thing, but then the "what if" question comes into play. "What if" the other thing is better? "What if" I'm wrong?" "What if" I choose this and not that and the entire earth explodes because I made the wrong decision? <--- That's pretty much my thought process most of the time. I take big decisions and turn them into world-altering determinations. I can go from trying to figure out what to have for dinner to determining that if I don't eat a salad at least once a day I'll gain 50 pounds within the next two years in a matter of seconds. It's a gift.
But really? What's the best way to approach big decisions while avoiding the "what if's" and "grass is always greener on the other side" sayings? After all, no one likes the word regret. I'm at this time in my life where big decisions seem to be a part of the daily schedule. I definitely believe that some of life's biggest decisions come between the ages of 18-25. We're forced to choose whether or not to go to school, where to go to school, what to study in order to choose what career path to take, and then where to live and start a life. It's quite a lot that can happen in seven years, and it's also a seven-year period in which 18-25 year-olds are experiencing a lot of changes themselves in who they are and who they want to be. It's like puberty all over again (without as much acne, but more hair loss).
I know there are ways out there to help with decision making, but sometimes those are just as frustrating as the decisions themselves. I understand that it's good to be a team player. It's great to bring other people into the decision-making process and to seek advice, but what if the advice they give isn't the advice you want to hear (even though you know they're probably right)? That's always humbling. Then there's the tactic of ignoring decisions. Maybe if I don't make a decision the opportunity or problem will go away. That doesn't always work either, and I've found it's hard to go anywhere, in general or in life, when decisions aren't made. With that, maybe it's just best to simply make a decision and 'go with the gut.' You know that special gut-feeling you get deep down when you feel like something is right or wrong. Maybe that's the secret.
For now, that's what I'm going to do: 'Go with the gut.' However, I can't help but wonder if I'm the only one playing the "what if" game, and if anyone else is playing, are there any tips to the game I don't know about? If you're another "What if" gamer, past or present, share some of your cheats. I'd be interested to hear them.
- Cliff
Cliff's Note: Go with the gut.