decision or choice

Decision or Choice – what’s the difference?

Making a decision or making a choice. Why are they different, and why does it matter?

“I need to decide whether to wear a facemask at the supermarket or not”.

“We need to choose who to include in our self-isolating family circle”.

We continue to live in unusual times. In which many of us might consider the words ‘decision’ and ‘choice’ to be ever-present, and almost interchangeable.

As communities lock down, open up in phases, and experience ongoing unpredictable health spikes, we’re all having to continually navigate what we do and don’t do – and who with – in ways which could affect not only ourselves but those we care for, as well as people we’ll never even meet.

In this illuminating article Shahana Dattagupta outlines why it’s so important that we start to understand the difference between deciding and choosing:

“The difference between decision and choice is terribly significant because it is the difference between surviving and thriving. Our society has become riddled and crippled with decision-making, and we have forgotten to make choices – simple and straight. We have forgotten to be comfortable and confident about what our internal compass tells us”.

These words were actually written long before our current health crisis, but they’ve never been more relevant.

How to thrive, not just survive

If we are to thrive, to emerge stronger from the fog of fear and uncertainty we’re experiencing right now, we need to build our skills for making choices, not just decisions.

The Wheel Of Consent does exactly that. It helps you learn the difference between when you’re willing to do something for the benefit of others, and when you want something truly for yourself. In other words, the difference between making a decision, and a choice. Between surviving and thriving.

Looking after your wellbeing involves more than simply making decisions about minimising risk, it includes learning to make choices that nourish you.

I can help you with that – check out coaching, or courses and workshops with me to find out how.

The quadrants

Each quadrant in the Wheel Of Consent creates a different experience and teaches you something different about yourself. Learn more about each one:

Serving
Taking
Allowing
Accepting

Enjoyed reading this?

If you've found this page helpful you can get more tips and resources for better relating straight to your inbox. Sign up here and get my free How To Be Heard guide to start you off:

Explore more:

wheel of consent why slow down

Why slow down? 3 reasons you’ll benefit

There are 3 great reasons why you should slow down. Learn what they are, why they can help you, and how to get better at it

Read More
give what others want

3 essential steps to give others what they really want

Tired of disappointing people? Follow these 3 simple, effective steps to ensure you always give others what they really want

Read More
get better at giving

How to get better at giving

If you want to get better at giving these tips will help you understand how it works, and what to look out for

Read More

Events & courses

Meet Your Needs & Create Better Boundaries – Online Workshop

Nov 18 & 19 2023. Explore two quadrants of the Wheel Of Consent as a way to meet your needs, create better boundaries, and stronger foundations for relating.

Read More

Learn To Touch – Supported Self Study Course

Online. Discover a whole new approach to touch that will change how you feel – literally! A short, affordable, practical guide you can learn in less than an hour a day.

Read More