By Chris Klonoski

I’m a lazy gardener.

I love the idea of the garden. I love the look of a garden. But I struggle with most things that need to be done every day. 

These days, we can arrange things so that we have to put in very little effort. So I have a garden. It was a gift for my 50th birthday from a dear friend who clearly thinks higher of my abilities than I do, and I am still grateful five years later. It has an automatic watering system, so all I really have to do diligently is keep it shaded.

As an inconsistent gardener, I am lucky that some plants do very well with a little neglect. If you need basil, jalapeno peppers, mint, fragrant pink roses, or thyme, I’m your gal. Everything else has been short-lived. Watermelon was an encroaching disaster. Tomatoes were sad. We don’t speak of the edible flower massacre. 

However, I excel at one garden task: weeding. I dig deep into the ground, yank the bad stuff out by its roots, and give the good stuff room to spread out, soak in the light, and grow. 

I enjoy assessing what needs to go, what should stay, what possibilities (good and bad) are around the corner, and taking decisive action to improve things. 

Decision-making is a lot like weeding. It can be overwhelming and a little tiresome, but it’s necessary for a fruitful and productive life. And, it’s a skill that becomes easier and more effective the more often it is exercised. 

What decision needs to be made? 

Sometimes, decisions to be made are clear, other times, not so much. It becomes about what you want, and this is not always as straightforward as it should be. In some ways, intention is the hardest part—knowing what you want and committing to it is understanding the larger picture, who you are, and what you want your world to be. 

Know your strengths 

Just like accepting you’re not a daily-care gardener, you can assess and acknowledge your limitations in decision-making. Are you an information gatherer or a gut-instinct person? Knowing your style helps you decide how much research or reflection you will need.

What is the timeline?

Can the decision be broken into steps? Does it need to be a snap decision? If so, can you dig out from a bad decision later? You can take baby steps to get there—break big decisions into bite-sized chunks, weigh the information, and apply it as needed, maybe float a few trial balloons. As adults, we tend to think we are just supposed to know things—clearly, immediately, decisively. That’s not always accurate, or achievable.

Prioritize Ruthlessly 

Not all weeds are created equal. Some steal sunlight and nutrients, while others are merely cosmetic annoyances. In life, some decisions are critical, while others are less consequential. Distinguishing between the urgent and the unimportant can make all the difference.

Know what you don’t know

Gathering and assessing information is worthwhile. Talking to people and evaluating the experiences they share takes a minute. At some point, your intuition may kick and shout all systems go in this direction. But usually, it takes research and assessment.

A word of caution:  Be careful with this one, it’s easy to fall into the analysis paralysis trap. Over thinking is common, and can create its’ own feedback loop. At some point, the decision just needs to be made.

It takes courage to let go of what’s possible or lottery-winning thinking (once this one thing happens everything will be perfect). Remember, no decision is a decision – and it rarely has a positive outcome.

Embrace the Pull

Think. Choose. Act. When weeding, there’s a satisfying tug as you remove a deep-rooted weed. Similarly, a good decision often feels “right” intuitively. Trust your gut feeling, especially after due consideration.

Review the outcome and the consequences

Hopefully, you can skip this part because the decision was solid, and now it’s just a part of your life. But the bigger the decision, the less likely this is. A true evaluation may take months.

Enjoy the Process

Weeding can be therapeutic. Focus on the satisfaction of a job well done and the improved health of your garden. Similarly, view decision-making as an opportunity for growth, not just a chore.

Adapt and Improve

Your garden changes, and so will your decision-making needs. New plants emerge, requiring adjustments. Life throws curveballs, and you’ll need to adapt your approach. Be flexible and learn from experience.

There’s no shame in being a lazy gardener, and there’s no shame in taking measured steps when making decisions. By acknowledging your strengths, your approach, and the decision that needs to be made, you can cultivate a thriving garden and a fruitful life.

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