Consultation is great, but sometimes people over-consult.
Use of own resources
Often, I have plenty of resources available to assess and navigate situations. If these are accessed, a lot of unnecessary consultation can be avoided.
External resources
Big Book. Steps, Traditions, and Concepts (and supporting literature). The Just For Today Card. Other AA literature. AA Slogans. Al-Anon Slogans. The Al-Anon Detachment Bookmark. Other Al-Anon literature. Spiritual books. Spiritual talks. AA speaker recordings. Other recovery speaker recordings. Other recovery literature. Other recovery-related writings and resources. Other practical resources. Own notes.
Internal resources and practices
Knowledge. Memory. Experience. Systematic analysis. Prayer. Meditation. Contemplation. Lectio divina. Emmet Fox's Golden Key. Inventory. Forgiveness. Detachment.
Fully employing the above places me in a good position to have a discussion firstly with friends and peers, and secondly with sponsors and other advisors. Escalate (only) as necessary.
Things to watch out for
Certain impulses prompt me to consult when I should at least pause first:
- Wanting someone to think through the situation so I don't have to
- Wanting someone else to take responsibility for the decision / outcome
- Wanting an 'authority' on my side to win an abstract or actual argument
- Wanting ammunition to deploy against another consultee
- Wanting to win an argument against an 'authority'
- Wanting the appearance of consultation as cover
- Wanting someone to co-sign a selfish or self-seeking course of action
- Wanting contact with or attention from the consultee for its own sake
- Wanting to defer right action