What Was I Thinking?: How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead with Confidence

by David Ashcraft, Rob Skacel

How do you know when the rewards outweigh the risks? If you want to reach your full potential in life, you can't play it safe. If you're too risk averse, you'll be resigned to a life of mediocrity. But if you risk foolishly, you may destroy your life's work and legacy. But we can be overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions we face, and the challenge of weighing the risks and rewards of each. In all this confusion, how can you be sure you won't end up asking yourself, what was I thinking? In this new book, David Ashcraft, pastor of a large and influential church, and Rob Skacel, licensed psychologist and executive coach, encourage readers to embrace risk and to live their lives to the fullest potential, in order to both run and finish the race with no regrets.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

Published May 31, 2022

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decisions, decisions. That is what this book is all about. How does one know how to make the right decisions and avoid foolish ones? To answer this, the authors came with an acronym that, I have to admit, is pretty DOPE.

D = desire = What would you like?
O = opportunity = What is available?
P = power = Can you make it happen?
E = Expectations = What might result?

In reality, this book was similar to many other leadership books I've read with one real exception. This book was not afraid to (respectfully) confront head-on some of the failures significant leaders have experienced. Using their dope decision evaluation method, they point to how some of those failures might have been made and also how they could have been avoided.

I would strongly recommend this book for ministry leaders, especially young leaders, but anyone who is reading it from any walk of life will likely get a lot out of it.


A couple quotes:

"Those who have come to expect everything they touch will turn to gold are likely to start touching things they shouldn't."

"Those who ultimately build enduring success blend extreme personal humility with intense professional will."

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grow so tired of Christians and Pastors not engaging the community about fallen spiritual leaders. This book has been so very refreshing because, unlike others attempting to sweep these problems under the rug, these authors are here to not only review a terrifying trend in the modern church, but also to help those of us left to safeguard ourselves from these situations. Well done, no useless fluff here. All extremely practical advice within. I would recommend this book to all leaders regardless of their religious affiliation.

[Crystal Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book For A Graduate

This is a great book on leadership. Although it focuses a lot on church leadership it can be applied to our everyday lives. We all need to think about the DOPE model especially when making life decisions. I also bought this book for a family member that graduated this year and is off to college in the fall. There will be so many changes and decisions in her life and I think the DOPE model will be a great guide.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little self-help book co-written by my pastor with a technique to help you make better decisions and take calculated risks in life. Bible-based and easy to remember, this book offers real world examples and stories, which help to set the tone and explain the principles. I thought it was a bit repetitive at places but otherwise, would recommend!

[Andrew Wolgemuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A straightforward, memorable model for making risk-related decisions.


(full disclosure: the literary agency I'm a part of represents David, Rob, and this book)

[Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise decision making advice backed by biblical truth.