Making decisions is something that we must all do in our lives. Some are relatively easy daily decisions, such as getting out of bed on time in the morning or selecting an outfit to wear to go out. Other decisions may be less frequent and harder to make such as whether to seek higher education, who we will marry, and perhaps if we will have children, where we will work, or who we want as friends.
I could go on about the decisions we have to make every day because decision-making is a cognitive process. It will continue to exist as long as we interact with the environment.
What is decision-making?
Decision-making is a procedure that requires a person to choose from among several alternatives. It produces a final result that is acted upon. Anyone can learn how to make good decisions, it is an essential life and problem-solving skill and it is key that we develop it.
The decisions you make in your personal or professional life, often define you. Your decision-making abilities can make all the difference in both contexts since they can influence your personal growth and future job development.[1] Your decisions may also have an impact on others, depending on your job at work or role in the family. For example, a boss who decides to defraud his firm and steals from it causes the company to go bankrupt, resulting in the company closing down and all employees losing their jobs.
Making good decisions and learning how to be a good decision maker can have a positive impact on your life, business, family, and relationships with others. The few pointers provided below will assist you in making sound decisions.
How to make good decisions
Here are 7 tips that can help you make good decisions;
1. Determine the decision and the options that go with it: Understanding why you're making decisions, your options, and the consequences of each choice can help you make better decisions[2]. Sometimes you have to choose between two or more options. The first step toward clarity is to list them out.
2. Consider each of your options carefully: Don't be too quick to conclude. After you've listed all of your options, start critiquing and eliminating them by identifying their benefits and drawbacks. A few questions that can help in this step are as follows:
- Do they fit with the long-term goals I have?
- Do they require me to compromise my beliefs and values?
- Do I have enough resources to carry out this option?
- How much time and energy will I have to devote and is that something I can give?
3. Conduct research: Without a doubt, this is an essential step. It is necessary to consult several reliable sources before reaching conclusions. Speaking with others and seeking advice might provide you with much-needed insight.
However, while writing this article, I came across a problem that could turn this step into a trap. It's referred to as information overload [3]. While gathering information is necessary for making sound decisions, too much information can be overwhelming, leading to more confusion or conflicting thoughts rather than clarity. According to research, when a person is confronted with an abundance of information, it can impair their ability to make rational decisions.
This happened to me while doing research for this article. As I scoured various sources for information to compile this one, it became difficult for me to determine which points were most effective and needed to be included.
You can overcome this difficulty by limiting the number of sources you consult and ensuring that they are reliable. I ended up developing recurring points from three reliable sources, which greatly aided my writing process.
When faced with difficult decisions, most people turn to trusted sources such as older family members, mature friends or colleagues, and even the Bible. Keep in mind, of course, that you will have to make the decision and live with the consequences, not the people you consult.
4. Weigh the utility and the outcome: To eliminate more options, consider the amount of satisfaction you'll get from each option, not only at the onset of carrying out the decision but also in the long run. Consider the possible outcomes of your options. Do they have dire effects? Are the effects avoidable? What impact will this decision have on others? Instead of researching options further because of a bias(preferred option), try to eliminate them immediately when you see that they are not the right fit. Being open-minded can assist you in accomplishing this.[4]
5. You may find two options to be equally weighted and suitable. That is, neither choice is superior to the other. In that case, choose one and proceed provided they both end in the same desired outcome.
6. Do not make choices solely based on your emotions or feelings, as they can greatly muddle your reasoning. For example, we are less likely to make good decisions when we are upset, depressed, disheartened, irritable, or even fatigued.
7. Make a decision: Sometimes we experience uncertainty paralysis, which prevents us from making decisions. However, if we remain undecided, we risk missing out on an opportunity of ending up in an unfavourable situation. Also, keep in mind that even the best decision may not be perfect. Often, making a decision necessitates giving up something. Unforeseen events may also occur. So, based on the best information available, select the option with the highest chance of success.[5]
To wrap it up
Though there are many obstacles to making good decisions, and it can be a time-consuming effort depending on how important the decision is, taking the time to do so can benefit you and others. You can avoid a lot of regrets, as well as gain confidence and delight.
With over 45,000 users, SmartSMSSolutions is one of the leading Bulk SMS platforms in Nigeria today. We provide smart, satisfactory, and sufficient solutions to all of your Bulk SMS needs. By registering here, you can get your own free bulk SMS account. We also publish several excellent articles that can help you improve your personal and professional communications, development, and relationships. Other articles that may interest you can be found here.