How to make a difficult decision

A decision is defied as difficult when the circumstances requiring an answer, will bring a major change to your life.  Examples are listed below.

Health: a serious illness or health condition regarding you or a family member.

Job:  loss of your job, cut in hours or pay, problems within your job that is creating great stress.

Change in lifestyle: Pregnancy, death of spouse, combining a household, divorce or separation.

A positive attitude, when approaching the problem in front of you, will determine the success of the outcome.  It determines how effectively you can assess the problem. It will also determine your ability to recover from the negativity of the circumstances, be it mental or physical.

• Fear can cloud or distort your thinking, Panic may bring it all thinking to a halt. Erroneous thinking can point you in the wrong direction. There are no magic solutions.
• Stop, breathe, and step back. Try to look at it from a distance if possible. Ask questions and seek support.
• Look at it objectively, logically. Thinking with your emotions only puts you right in the middle with all the frustration whirling around you.
• Though it may be difficult, try to remain positive. Negativity, like fear and panic, inhibit clear thinking.

A medical crisis is when a positive attitude plays a most important role. A person's frame of mind has a tremendous influence on how the body responds to a health crisis. If a person mentally admits failure or gives up, the body will not function as effectively in the given situation. This is true when your attitude involves someone else with the medical problem. That person, especially a child, is aware of how much you are supporting their efforts to overcome a health crisis.

Fear, panic, emotional thinking can have a person going after 'guarenteed' cures, and there seem to be many out there. Most of these 'cures' are not based on real medicine, traditional or even alternative. Seek facts, not emotionally based cures.

The nature of your decision will determine which direction you turn at this time. Some resources are obvious. Others require some research.

• Health:
  Your doctor is a first choice, but never hesitate to get a second opinion. National organizations for specific diseases or conditions are also good. There may even be a local support group. These may be found on-line at the national site, or through your doctor or local hospital.

• Job issues:
  If it is a problem within your present job, whatever you do, make sure you follow the proper channels. Going to the top directly or to by-pass certain levels will lessen your credibility. If you do not find success this way, then try an alternate route, but document every step.
  
  The loss of a job is a very difficult one, especially if you do not have financial resources. Explore places like the Chamber of Commerce, Workforce, your church. Online sites like Career Builder, Monster.com are also good to use. When approaching the last two, if you have never written a resume, get help. The way you present yourself is extremely important.

If you are financially able, look into learning new skills through your local junior college or adult education center. Network... talk to people. Be very careful looking for a job on Craig's List as there are scams out there. They even warn you about this on the site.