Who is your voice of reason?

Rutendo Gwatidzo
Changing Perspectives

WE live in an environment where many things happen so fast such that it is easy to get a clouded view that impacts our judgment and decision making.

The unwritten rules and expectations of our social groups or wider society heavily influence our choices.

It’s easy to conform to what is considered “normal” even if it doesn’t align with our true beliefs or best interests. The desire to fit in and be accepted can lead individuals to make inappropriate decisions.

Information Overload!

In today’s digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information which can lead to decision fatigue and processing everything can be a huge struggle. A good number of people end up resorting to quick and less thoughtful choices that are easily accessible and memorable. We also get to encounter misleading information that can significantly distort our understanding of reality and lead to poor judgements.

Emotions!

Emotions are a great deal to how we live our everyday lives. Strong emotions like fear, anger, excitement or even extreme hunger or tiredness can significantly affect our decision making, leading others to make choices in impulse. We also have a good number of people who prefer that things stay the same, even if change would be beneficial.

Then there is prolonged stress, which can lead to difficulty in concentrating and impaired judgement. Conditions like anxiety and depression can profoundly affect decision making, which can lead to distorted thinking.

What Then?

Who is your voice of reason? What can help the situation where almost everyone  seems clouded? I believe that awareness is the first important step towards un-clouding our views.

You need to realise and understand what surrounds you in order to be able to deal with it.

In as much as there are many strategies to helping the situation, I would like to focus on one today, which is that of having a voice of reason in life. I did a survey this past week where I engaged 30 prominent people in different areas of life. I asked them how they manage to remain relevant and sound in decision making and 19 said one thing in common, “voice of reason in life!”

Most successful individuals have an anchor — a source of sound, unbiased guidance — that helps them make the right decisions, especially when faced with challenges or uncertainty. This “voice of reason” isn’t necessarily a single person, but rather a  guiding principle or a collection of trusted influences that help you stay true to who you are and your goals.

For some, it might be a dedicated mentor who sees their potential and offers consistent encouragement and wise counsel. For others, it could be a parent or guardian who instils certain values. It might even be an older sibling or a mentor who has walked a similar path and can offer invaluable insights.

Consider the times you’ve felt overwhelmed by a difficult situation, discouraged by an unexpected outcome, or tempted to stray from your values and principles. What pulled you back? What reminded you of your purpose? Was it the quiet wisdom of a grandparent, the unwavering belief of a friend, or perhaps a powerful inner voice  cultivated through self-reflection and discipline? It’s crucial to actively identify and  cultivate these voices in your life.

Some of The Voices That You Need!

You need a voice that gives you Clarity Amidst Confusion. A strong voice to help you cut through the noise and provide clarity when you’re feeling muddled or indecisive about a certain area of life. You also need a voice of accountability and focus. This voice reminds you of your commitments and helps you stay accountable to your goals, even when motivation wanes. A voice of resilience in adversity is also required.

When setbacks occur, and they will, your voice of reason can offer perspective,  encouragement and the belief that you can overcome obstacles. How about prevention of costly mistakes? Often, the voice of reason acts as an early warning system, helping you avoid pitfalls that could derail your progress. There are so many other different voices of reason that are needed in life, I just had to mention a few.

So, how do you strengthen your voice of reason?

You need to know that having a voice of reason is one thing and being able to listen to the voice of reason is another. One of mentors taught me something valuable. He said  that to listen and not do is not listening, to know and not do is not knowing and to learn and not do is not learning. It is therefore crucial that you do strengthen your voice of reason and some of the ways to strengthen it are shared in this article.

Seek out Positive Influences: Surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed, who offer constructive criticism, and who embody the values you aspire to.

Listen Actively: When someone you trust offers advice, truly listen and consider their perspective before reacting.

Reflect and Introspect: Regularly take time to reflect on your goals, values and the  decisions you’re making. Develop your own inner compass and voice of reason.

Learn from Experience: Both your own and others’. Every mistake and success can  contribute to your understanding of what constitutes sound judgment.

Be Open to Feedback: Don’t shut down when faced with different opinions.

Sometimes, the most valuable insights come from unexpected sources.

Remember, the voices that guide you can shape your decisions, your character, and  ultimately, your future.

Take a moment today to identify who or what serves as your voice of reason. Nurture those connections, internalise that wisdom, and let it propel you towards a future filled with good achievement and personal growth.

Rutendo Gwatidzo is the Managing Consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy – as a Culture and Change Management Specialist. She is a multi-award winning leader, Consultant, Speaker and Coach. She is also an Author of Born to Fight and Breaking  the Silence books. Contact detail – 0714575805/ [email protected]/Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page