Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

How many decisions do you think you make in a day? I have spent a good amount of time trying to decode the what, how and why to my own decision-making and those of others. Recently, I was forced to reflect upon my own decision making after reading a response from an industry peer who was intrigued as to why I needed to consult my team on a certain matter, questioned if I was my own person, and if I made decisions independently. Instantly, I was curious whilst reading the comments. It made me pause to reflect and take the time to digest their comments. As is usual for me, I repeatedly read the comment asking myself aloud “Am I my own person?” “Why did I need to consult my team?” and “Do I make my own decisions?”

 As I pondered, it occurred to me that, for as far back as I could remember, I have sought advice from someone in my orbit prior to making decisions to do with my personal life, my education, and my businesses. In high school, I consulted my Mum about which subjects I should take for my HSC and on what dress I should wear to the formal. Whilst playing our weekly squash games, I consulted friends about my current and potential boyfriend(s), and if they were suitable for me. =P

Wills is continually keeping me focused on the dreams we have for our family, mainly to prevent my trying to start yet another business knowing that doing so will come at a cost to both my physical and mental wellbeing. And also, any additional work would require me having to get out of bed before 9am. Then, there is the rest of my tribe, those who are a phone call or a message away when I need to ask silly questions about Zoom, to help me brainstorm an idea, or to be a pseudo-audience when I’m developing a new keynote or presentation. This tribe is the amalgamation of people who have known me for donkey’s years and those who have known me for just a short time. People who will challenge and question everything I do, provide a different perspective, and who hold me to account if I were to stray from the mission. The team around me are the humans who I constantly aim to impress and those whom I care most deeply about.

For everything I show to the world, there is a team of people behind all of it. I am simply the face you see, the one who gesticulates passionately whilst delivering our shared message and vision. The reality is, The Intelligent Rebellion was spawned over a series of conversations between an Impact Activist, a Wordsmith and me. All three of us harnessing our super powers to bring to the world a beautiful and remarkable idea about humanising healthcare, challenging long-standing hierarchy, and celebrating good humans.

 Me, Myself, and I?

Our society has glorified rugged individualism for far too long. The notion that you alone can make it, you alone are responsible for your success, and you alone can “hustle” your way to success is utter bullshit. Interestingly, one definition of “hustle” is to “push roughly; jostle”, another is “to obtain illicitly or by forceful action”, and because I like the number three, a third definition is “a fraud or a swindle.” ….Should “hustling” really be something we value?  

Anyone who has celebrated any achievement did not do it alone. They had help and support from someone along the way, whether they realise it or not. Anyone who claims otherwise is either an extraordinary human, or a…hustler.

 A Library of People

I challenge anyone to find the one book which holds all the information known to humans. If you are like my family and owned a set of World Book Encyclopedia, you’re well aware that that set took up some space. Multiple volumes, spanning multiple shelves. And just like we have shelves and libraries of books filled with information and stories spanning different themes and topics – the world is jam-packed with humans who are full with knowledge about different topics and experiences. Though it’s hard for me to admit – I don’t know everything and I can’t know everything. And, because of this simple fact, I need a team and a library of people who help me to make decisions. Seeking counsel, opinions and diverse perspectives gives me a 360 view of any situation by expanding my view points and challenging my biases. This process actually grants me more personal agency over my decision making.

So - Do I make my own decisions? Sometimes. The other times, decisions transpire after consulting with my team.

Cheers for now, -Rhea.