Recently, I faced one of the most difficult decisions of my life: the decision to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Roxy.
This wasn’t my first experience with this particular heartbreak. I’ve had to make this choice before with other pets, but those decisions, while painful, came with a certain clarity. In those past situations, it was evident my pets were suffering physically, making it easier to justify the decision as an act of compassion.
Roxy’s situation was different. She didn’t show obvious signs of physical pain. Her appetite remained healthy. On the surface, these were encouraging signs that made our decision all the more challenging.
But defining “quality of life” became a profound responsibility for my husband and me. While Roxy wasn’t visibly suffering, she had lost her sight and hearing. She showed signs of dementia, often walking in confused circles around our dining room table, lost in her own home. Though she was still functioning at what we might call a “50% level,” we couldn’t pinpoint a specific pain or ailment that made the decision black and white. I should also mention that she would 18 this weekend.
We prayed for guidance. I waited for what I call a “God wink” – that small sign of clarity in moments of uncertainty. And eventually, it came. We had to trust that our decision, made with love and compassion, was the right one for Roxy.
The Business of Difficult Decisions
This experience reminded me of the parallel challenges we face in business leadership. How often do we struggle with decisions because:
– What if my decision negatively impacts others?
– What if my decision ultimately hurts me?
– What if others judge me for the choices I make?
These questions can paralyze us from taking necessary action, whether in our personal lives or professional settings.
I find wisdom in Abraham Hicks’ perspective: “Sometimes you have to make a decision and then make it right.”
This doesn’t mean forcing outcomes or manipulating situations. It means approaching decisions with intention, compassion, and the commitment to see them through with integrity. It means having the courage to act when there isn’t perfect clarity, but there is sufficient wisdom to move forward.
The hardest decisions rarely come with complete certainty. Whether it’s letting go of a beloved pet, moving on from a business partnership, or pivoting your entire career – the courage isn’t in having all the answers, but in moving forward despite the questions.
What difficult decision are you facing today? Remember that courage isn’t the absence of fear or doubt – it’s the willingness to act in their presence.
If decision making occasionally paralyzes you, check out my blog post about Decision Paralysis.
