Decisions vs Choices

I recently read something (honestly, I wish I could recall where) that provided me with some illumination around the differences between decision and choice. So, I offer my ‘take’ on the subject.

The word ‘decision’ comes from the latin… the act of or need for making up one’s mind:
The root word cis and its variants cid and -cide come from a Latin root which means ‘cut’ or ‘kill.’ A decision, for instance, is a ‘cutting off’ of all possibilities except for one;

Whereas the word ‘choice’ is about having the right, power, or opportunity to choose;
an abundance or variety or range of things from which to choose

Choice is integral to coaching. Really, at its core, coaching is about helping clients make choices.

Choice to me, is about possibilities. Being open to them, and exploring them.

There are indeed times when a decision needs to be made by the client within the context of the coaching relationship. When the time is right, getting into ‘action mode’ requires a decision.

For example, a couple of years ago I worked with a client who had to make a big, tough decision. “Will I hand in my resignation or will I stay in a job that’s not working for me?” But before she made that decision and got into action, she explored her choices, did her research, tried all options on to see which one fit her best.

In the end, after considering her choices, she made a decision.

She tells me that every day, she’s grateful for two things; the opportunity that coaching gave her to explore her choices, and the decision she eventually came to!