Ever made a decision that in hindsight you wish
you hadn't made or had made it differently?
Welcome to life. We all do this numerous times in
life as the future and the consequences of any
decision are not a certainty.
No decision whether a relationship, financial or
career one comes with guarantees that they will
work out as we want, need or hope.
Please keep in mind that just because you make a
decision means nothing. What matters are the
actions you take as a result of a decision. But in
this article I want to focus on the decision
process and not the actions you take or their
outcomes although both of these are critical when
it comes to what decision you ultimately make.
Decision - something that somebody chooses or
makes up his or her mind about, after considering
it and other possible choices.
What to consider when making a decision -
There are numerous factors we consider when we
choose to decide, things like - short or long term
consequences, the pain connected with dealing with
these consequences, fear of making the wrong
decision, the impact of our decision on others,
making decisions when under stress - just to
mention a few of the common or obvious ones.
What should really drive the decisions we make?
-Can you live with the potential outcomes?
-Do you need more or better information before
making a decision?
-Is a decision really the best tactic at the time?
-Do you have the courage to make a decision and
then follow-through?
-Do you really have confidence in your decision?
-Are you making the decision for the best reasons?
-Are there other factors that are impacting our
decision like; guilt, anger, regret, arrogance,
ego needs, other people's control over us or
uncertainty?
-Are you making the decision based on pressure
from others?
Why we decide the way we do -
Everyone wants favorable outcomes to their
decisions unfortunately we can't control all of
the factors involved in the unfolding of any
decision. There will always be unknowns that we
either didn't prepare for or anticipate. Any
decision comes with obstacles - some small and
some major but in the end the ability to ensure
the best possible results requires the ability to
manage the obstacles and commit to the decision
regardless of the roadblocks along the way.
In the end we decide what we hope, believe or feel
are in our best interests. Yes, we may consider
the impact on others but most decisions are made
for self-serving reasons.
Why we avoid decisions -
There's an old saying that says - failing to make
a decision is a decision. How true. The major
reason we avoid any decision is the fear of
unknown future circumstances as a result of our
decision and action. We want favorable outcomes
but since we can't ensure these they may cause us
to delay, procrastinate or hope for the best
without a decision.
The 10- 10 - 10 - 100 process -
This process is simple - First 10 - what could
happen within the next ten minutes as a result of
a decision? Second 10 - what could happen within
the next ten days? Third ten - what could happen
within the next ten months? And 100 - one hundred
years from now - what difference would any
decision really make?
When you have to decide - anything - consider this
simple formula and then ask yourself - can I
handle whatever could take place within these time
frames? If yes - go for it. If no - spend time in
contemplation with the elements above.
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