INTRODUCTION.
Different reasons can be attributed to certain very important decisions we make in life. Sometimes, we narrowly miss making mistakes that would otherwise cost us significantly in life by just a narrow margin. Many questions are bound to plague our minds daily: Which job should I take? What car is the right one? Do you need another baby? In short, life is replete with difficult choices, and the bigger these choices and the more options we have, the more difficult they become. Though our brains can react very quickly when faced with difficult options, we nevertheless should be very thoughtful in whatever it is we set our minds on, lest we regret taking hasty decisions, mostly when it is too late. Many people are bound to refuse choosing at all when faced with either good or bad options, especially if they are confused about which of the options is actually better or the more preferable. However, practice, experience, and rules of the thumb are bound to help us in making those split second decisions. Fortunately, we always seem to have the luxury of working through our decisions. The old chestnut in any decision making is to get handy a list of the pros and cons. Endeavor to make out two columns on a paper and write down all the positive things that will come of making a choice in one column and all the negative things in another column. In the end, whichever side has the most entries will surely win. This is one sure way of going about making solid decisions in life. However, this approach may not necessarily take into account all the different weight that each positive or negative might actually have. This article will give you some basic strategies of making wise decisions when it matters the most.
ANALYSIS OF OUTCOMES.
You are likely to get a tunnel vision while working through a big decision, where you get so focused on the immediate consequences of the decision at hand that you never think about the ultimate outcome you either expect or desire. Whenever you are making any choice, then, it will pay to take some time to mull or reflect on the outcomes you expect. Consider each alternative and ask yourself pertinent questions, such as:
* What is the likely outcome of this choice?
* What possible outcomes are not very likely?
* What are the consequences of not taking this choice?
* What could be the result of not taking this option or that?
If you opt to think in terms of long term outcomes, and also broaden your thoughts to include negative outcomes, it can help you to find clarity and direction while facing your big decision making.
ALWAYS ASK WHY REPEATEDLY.
The 'five whys' are a problem solving technique invented by Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota. Whenever something goes south, always ask 'why?' at least five times. By asking why anything failed, over and over again, you will eventually get to the root of it. Why did the car break down? A spark plug failed! Why? Was it fouled? Why? I didnt get a tune-up. Why? In short, the five whys can really assist you to determine whether a choice you are considering is in tandem with your core values or not. For instance, why should I accept this job in the first place? Maybe because it pays well and provides me a chance to grow. Why is growth important to me? Maybe because I wish to build a career and not just to do a string of meaningless jobs on end, but why is that? Perhaps I want to give my life a meaning. But, why? Probably because I want to be happy. Why? Maybe because that's important in order to become happy. Why? Well, possibly because happiness is important in life. Always keep the questions focused inwards rather than outwards on irrelevant external factors. For example, it is not advisable to ask: 'Why does this job pay well and offer me a chance to grow,' since the most important thing is that it does, not why it does.
FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS ALWAYS.
It has been proven that: people who make hasty decisions even when they lack the necessary information, tend to be more satisfied with such decisions than those who research and carefully weigh their options in the matter. The basic difference is simply in the lower level of stress the decision has created, but much of it comes from the very ways our brains operate. The conscious mind is said to hold about 5 to 9 distinct thoughts at any given time. This means that any complex problem with more than seven factors is likely to overflow the conscious mind's ability to function efficiently, thereby leading to bad choices. On the other hand, our unconscious mind, is much more better at juggling and working through complex problems. People who go with their gut instincts are actually trusting the work their unconscious minds have already done, rather than second guessing it and relying on their conscious mind's more reduced ability to handle complex situations.
WHATEVER HAPPENS, THE CHOICE IS YOURS TO MAKE.
The process you use to arrive at your decision, your ultimate satisfaction with the decisions, will all depend on whether you claim the ownership of these decisions and the choices made. If you feel compelled into making a choice, or not being in control of the conditions, you are likely to find even positive outcomes colored negatively. In the alternative, if you take full responsibility for your choices, it can make your failure feel like success; you will assure yourself that you did your best, and you would have gained valuable experience from the whole affair.
It is now pertinent to look at ways that will enable one to make good and effective choices. We are daily confronted by different choices. Some of these choices have minimal consequences, while others are indeed life changing. Again, some of them can impact our lives now, while others may take a toll on us only in many years to come. However, the most important thing is to remember that we are a product of the choices we make. Every decision helps to define who we are and how we are different from others as well. In order to make good choices, we must first take charge of the decision making process. Do you really make good choices? Ask yourself this question repeatedly.
MANAGE THE BIG STUFF.
It is easy to get sidetracked or distracted by irrelevant issues in life. If you spend valuable time on trivial stuff, you may not have the time to dwell on important issues in life, the things that really matter the most.
VALUES MATTER A LOT.
Take decisions that you know are consistent with your core values and beliefs, doing anything on the contrary will unavoidably lead to regrets in the long run.
LEARN FROM THE PAST.
Make sure that you learn from your past experiences and also the experiences of others too. Identify situations where you have had a similar choice in the past. How will these lessons learned affect your present situation?
KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW AND ALSO WHAT YOU DON'T.
Never try to be an expert in everything. Seek for input and advice whenever any variables lie outside your comfort zone at all times.
MAINTAIN THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE ALWAYS.
View any issue from all possible perspectives, from all vantage positions. What are the facts actually saying? What does your intuition really tell you? Is your conscience, in any way, telling you something else? Listen to it, because you may regret if you don't.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.
You may never have all the information you need to make good choices, so, do not demand for perfection, which you'll never get. Do not let perfection be the enemy of the good. This advice was given by the philosopher, Voltaire, and it holds true to this day. Once you have made a decision, never look back, count on your intuition and move on. In majority of the cases, you will still be standing tall in the end, and triumphantly too. Don't second guess yourself. After all, you can't relive the past, it is a major waste of valuable time and energy. So, put the past behind you and move on with a strong resolve.
CONCLUSION.
Most times, it is good to believe in yourself without being overly too confident. Of course errors of judgement and mistakes are bound to happen every so often, but do not allow them to weigh you down; be very strong in your resolve, determination and focus. Always endeavor to ask why does anything happen wrongly, and devise other means to make it work. Do not expect miracles because they just don't happen, except if you wish to delude yourself. It is also good to keep the company of those who share in your thoughts and dreams, but not those who may discourage you. If you can't change your detractors, it maybe time to consider whether you really need to continue the relationship.
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