I would like to think that most people make the right decisions most of the time. Of course we all have those moments where we go right when we should’ve gone left; or we say no when we should’ve said yes, etc. But generally speaking, most people make the right decision. There are many, however, struggling with decision making and have a track record of questionable choices when given the option to pick. Whether you occasionally decide to do the wrong thing or you do it more than not, there are a few things that can help you in this process.
Slow Down
In many cases, we make the wrong decision because we are moving too fast. Too busy, being busy, as I like to call it. We’re trying to maximize our time and conquer multitasking, but it leads to the lack of attention to detail, which hinders making sound decisions. Slow down, take time to think and process the choices, and don’t rush into something that you’ll regret later.
Actions and Reactions
Newton’s Third Law “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” is very true in both science and life in general. Understanding that your decisions are actions, that have consequences and possibly residual effects or collateral damage when making the wrong choice is critical.
Consider Others
Most decisions that we make impact more than just ourselves. Whether it’s a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, teammate, etc., someone else may be impacted by the direction we chose. Keeping this in mind will help you make sound decisions that will not hurt or adversely affect others. Ignoring this, and you may end up pushing someone away or hurting them, with your bad decision or series of bad decisions.
There’s no secret recipe or magic trick to making good decisions. For the most part, it takes thinking the decision all the way through, understanding the potential repercussion of the choices, and factoring other people and how the decision affects them. The next time you have a decision to make, whether big or small, consider these things and you’ll be surprised at the outcome.
Have some other means or techniques to make sound decisions? Share them in the comments!