Some of your decisions will be so routine
that you make them without giving them much thought. But difficult or
challenging decisions demand more consideration. These are the sort of
decisions that involve:
Uncertainty – Many of the
facts may be unknown.
Complexity – There can be
many, interrelated factors to consider.
High-risk
consequences – The impact of the decision may be significant.
Alternatives – There may be
various alternatives, each with its own set of uncertainties and consequences.
Interpersonal issues – You need to predict
how different people will react.
When you’re making a decision (1) that involves
complex issues like these, you also need to engage your problem-solving, as
well as decision-making skills. It pays to use an effective, robust process in
these circumstances, to improve the quality of your decisions and to achieve
consistently good results.A logical and ordered process can help you to do this
by making sure that you address all of the critical elements needed for a
successful outcome.
Working through this process systematically
will reduce the likelihood of overlooking important factors. Our seven-step
approach takes this into account:
- Create a constructive environment.
- Investigate the situation in detail.
- Generate good alternatives.
- Explore your options.
- Select the best solution.
- Evaluate your plan.
- Communicate your decision, and take action.
Here are some keys
on how to make a decision without regret:
Have a Life Vision:
A life vision should be the foundation and
reference point for every decision you make. In your deepest dreams, how do you
envision your life in all areas(2)career,
relationships, finances, lifestyle, etc.
What core values define this vision for you? Make a point of writing
down your vision and the values that define it. Refine the vision over time as
necessary.
Then when a big decision comes along, you can use this vision as a
guide. If you deviate too far from the
vision, it will cause you eventual pain and regret. Evaluate your choices based
on your vision. Which one is in closest alignment with your vision?
Accept that making
important decisions can be hard:
Big decisions often have big, long-lasting
consequences. Even when the outcome is happy, you may have doubts. And some
decisions can be heart wrenching to make, even when you’re certain your choice
is for the best(3)
Instead of wishing a big decision were easier, honor the fact that it’s not,
nor should it be. Embrace the thoughts and feelings you have as a testament to
the significance of this crossroads.
Understanding the
source of your Fear:
Journaling about your fears may help you to
start to understand them and make a better decision as a result. Start by
writing about the decision you need to make. Describe or list everything that
you are worried about regarding this decision. Allow yourself to vent about
these fears without judging yourself for having them(4,5)
For example, you might start your journal by
asking yourself, “What is the decision that I need to make and what am I afraid
might happen if I make the wrong choice?”
Once you have written about the decision you
need to make and why you have fear regarding that decision, take it a step
further. Try to identify the worst case scenario(6)
for each and every possible choice
For example” if you need to decide between staying
full time at your job or taking a part-time job in order to spend more time
with your kids, think about what the worst case scenario of each decision would
be.
If you chose to keep the full time job, the worst
case scenario might be that you miss out on important moments in your
children’s development and that your children resent you for this when they are
older.
If you choose to keep the part time job, the
worst case scenario might be that you might not be able to pay the bills each
month.
Talk to a friend
or family member:
Carefully select two or three trusted friends
or family(7,8) members whose
opinion and judgment you value. Tell them about your life vision, show them
your list of pros and cons and ask for their input about your decision. Someone
who is removed from the turmoil of the decision and who has a different
perspective can help you see things in a clearer light. A personal coach also
can help you gain clarity around your decision by asking you pointed questions
related to your motivations, feelings, and desires (9)
Limit the Amount
of Information You Take In:
It's a pretty common idea that the more
information you have, the better decisions you can make(10) However, at some
point, you cross a threshold where you have too much information. It's one of
those dumb tricks our brains pull on us that are hard to counteract.When we
have too much information, we start to fill in gaps and add weight to
information that doesn't matter. Psychology today explains what's going on:
The human mind hates uncertainty. Uncertainty
implies volatility, randomness, and danger(11) When we notice
information is missing, our brain raises a metaphorical red flag and says,
"Pay attention. This could be important..." When data is missing, we
overestimate its value. Our mind assumes that since we are expending resources
locating information, it must be useful.
This information comes in all forms. It might
be that you've done so much research about a topic that you've passed the point
of "educated decision" and moved onto too much information. Or it
might be that you've sought out the advice of several friends, all of whom have
given you different opinions. Regardless, when you have too much information on
the table, you're making the decision process way more difficult.
In my own case, I certainly reached that
point of information overload where I had too many facts and opinions in front
of me. Cutting some of that out helped. Instead of talking with a bunch of
friends I kept it to just a few whom I trust.
The other big realization I had with both
bigger and smaller choices was that my decision was always
reversible. With a lot of our decisions, we put more weight on them than
they're worth. Yes, moving across the country to a new place is a big deal, but
it's also totally reversible. If it sucks, you move again. Likewise, with smaller
decisions, setting up a two minute rule to make the choice gets it out of the
way so we can move on. Most decisions we make don't matter as much as we think
they do, and recognizing that helps keep the amount of information you take in
to a minimum.
Aim for integrity:
Aiming for integrity(12) means being true to
your authentic self, your priorities, and your values. If an option requires that
you compromise your ethics(13)
downplay your priorities, or go against your nature(14) this is a
red flag. Only consider options that are aligned with what’s truly important to
you.such as
process plan is driven by Implementing the
principles of Customer Focus, Leadership, Involvement of people, process approach,
continual improvement, Factual approach to decision making, Mutually beneficial
supplier relationships, high levels of customer satisfaction and operational
efficiency, statistical analysis to minimize defects in the processes to
improve quality and total compliance with Data Security and information
Security Management systems.
Stay Calm:
Riding high on emotions, either positive or
negative, can impact your ability to make a rational decision. When you have
any decision to make, the first step should generally be to stay as calm as
possible. If you can't stay calm, put off making the decision until you're
thinking clearly.(15)
Try taking a few deep breaths to help calm
yourself down. If you have more time, go into a quiet room and do about 10
minutes of deep breathing exercises.
To perform deep breathing exercises, start by
placing on hand on your belly below your ribcage and the other on your chest.
When you inhale, you should feel your abdomen expand as well as your chest.(16)
Inhale slowly through your nose. Aim to
inhale for a 4-count. Focus on the feeling of the breath as your lungs expand.
Hold the breath for 1-2 seconds.
Gently release the breath through your nose
or mouth. Aim to exhale for a 4-count.
Repeat this process 6-10 times per minute for
10 minutes.
Don't Look Back:
If you have done the work, honored your
vision, examined the pros and cons, sought guidance, done your due diligence,
and connected with your intuition, then make your choice, take the leap and
don't look back. There are millions of paths we can take in a lifetime, all
leading to different opportunities and potential consequences. You won't have a
guarantee, but you don't need one. Uncertainty is part of the adventure of life(17)
Once
you are on this new adventure, have confidence that you made the best
decision with the information available, and move forward with a spring in your
step. There is something good to be learned on every path we follow.
The ability to make a decision is the fuel
for personal and professional growth. If you enter a decision with the
knowledge that uncertainty is inevitable, and you accept you must decide in
spite of uncertainty, then you will never get stuck. By taking the steps outlined, you empower
yourself to make an informed and thoughtful choice, leaving little room for
future regret.
See Also:
- 10 Habits of Genuine People
- What is Personality Development?
- Learn the Important Skill
- How to improve your self Esteem
- Smart People Never Repeat Mistakes
- Smart People never repeat mistakes
Have a Backup Plan:
Thinking ahead may help you to feel less
bothered by any possible negative outcomes. Make a backup plan to deal with
your worst case scenario. Even if you are unlikely to need this plan, simply
having a backup plan will help you to feel better equipped deal with the worst
case scenario. People who are in leadership positions are expected to always
have a backup plan because there is always a chance that something might go
wrong. This strategy may be helpful for making minor decisions as well(18)
Having a backup plan will also allow you to
respond to unforeseen challenges or setbacks with flexibility. Your ability to
adapt to unexpected circumstances can directly affect your ability to succeed
with your decisions.
Some Suggestion regarding
making Decision:
The
suggestion here(19)
is simple: if you're making a decision between a few different options, throw
in a new option that is essentially the exact opposite of what you'd normally
do. Now, imagine yourself as if you'd already made that choice and you're
living with that decision. For something like moving, it was about tossing in
an extra couple places I had no desire to move to. Then, when I weighed my
choices, I had a few options I'd never even considered. This forced my brain to
challenge my assumptions about what mattered about the city I chose, what I was
really looking for, and what details really mattered.
It might sound like you're just going to
confuse yourself by adding in options that don't matter, but in certain
cases—especially something like a move or even a career change—it's about
thinking outside your comfort zone in order to make a better decision. If you
need some help with that mental back flip, Psychology Today suggests asking yourself
a few simple questions:
- List all your assumptions about your subject(20)
- Reverse each assumption. What is its opposite?
- Ask yourself how to accomplish each reversal.
The end result is a new viewpoint you might
not have considered otherwise. You still might not go with that choice, but it
can help you decide what you really want in a decision(21)
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