Decision making plays a vital role in things that may seem inconsequential at the time, but can have a large impact later. The decisions we make in our day to day lives can often have a huge impact on our present - and our future.
How often have you made a decision, and then wished almost immediately that you could take it back? Decision making is not an exact science, but simple tools can help the decisions we make produce more desirable outcomes. While it's impossible to predict the future and know the outcome every time it comes to making a decision, it is possible to make better decisions consistently by following these simple steps.
1) Don't Jump the Gun
It may seem normal or even vital to make decisions quickly, but being overly hurried can be detrimental in the long run. It's easy to go with our first instinct and not weigh other options, but doing so can be potentially damaging. Our instinctual reaction is not always the best one possible.
2) Don't Make Decisions when Upset or Angry
How many times have you said something in anger that is impossible to take back once it escapes your mouth? Decisions can be like that too. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say whatever comes to mind, and come up with snap judgments, but doing so isn't profitable in the long run. It can take longer to clean up the mess of a decision made in the heat of the moment than it can to just take the time to think it through in the first place.
3) Weigh Your Options
Decisions that can potentially affect your future like changing jobs, or buying a home or moving in with a significant other require lots of forethought. Write a list of the pros and cons of all your options. Weigh the negatives against the positives, and try to come up with a plan. Once you can see the full picture, making a decision is often easier and less stressful than trying to come up with one off the top of your head.
4) Talk it Out
No one says you have to make difficult decisions alone. Often, major decisions also impact those around you like a spouse, significant other, children, parents, etc. If you have doubts about your options, or simply want a second opinion, it's okay to ask for help.
Decision making can be a difficult process that impacts us all our lives. By learning and putting these techniques to improve your decision making abilities into practice, they will soon become like second-nature. After awhile, they won't seem so foreign. The best thing to remember is that only rarely do life or death decisions have to be made in a split second - and usually only in the movies. Most of us are given the luxury to think before acting and making a choice that will significantly impact our lives. Taking the time to think things through, making sure we're calm and level-headed and weighing all our options can significantly impact the success of our decision making process both now and going forward. Making consistently better decisions can lead to positive change, and bring new, wonderful things into our lives. By taking control of our decision making and aiming for the right decision in any occasion and not letting our emotions get the better of us, we are much more equipped for whatever life may throw our way.
About The Author:
The author works for a motivational speaker. In her spare time she likes to practice self-improvement and blogs: http://www.mindcapital.com/blog/.
