Decision – Making ??

October 2006 News Article No 998 Every day we are faced with making decisions in every area of our lives. For some this is a real challenge however imagine what like would be like if you were totally indecisive about everything. Even getting ready in the morning would be an ordeal – should you get out of bed or should you stay in bed? Should you take a bath or a shower? Should you eat breakfast or miss it? Many put things off saying to themselves I would if I could . However I would if I could is just putting off making decisions. My question to you is: “Why waste your life mentally shifting from foot to foot?” You have the capacity to be more decisive and to make decisions that are right for you. It is important to decide to succeed Why is decisiveness so important for success? As well as making life run more smoothly it also: Allows you to put your plans into action Lets you commit to and move toward your goals Helps you actively take charge of your Life Stops you from getting stuck in a rut. When making decisions, keep focussed on your overall goal. Ask yourself: “What do I want to achieve?” and “How could this decision help me achieve it?” Combat Indecision Many people who feel they are generally indecisive have little trouble making effective decisions in some areas of their lives. For example, you might find it east to decide on a plan of action at work, however, you may have trouble deciding how best to raise your children. You may believe that this is because you have more experience or expertise in a certain area. More often however it stems mainly from a lack of confidence, especially if you have had your self -confidence undermined early on in life by an overcritical teacher or parent Simplify Decision Making The following exercise can be a very effective decision-making tool. On a piece of paper make a column for each possible option. Now divide each column in two, one half headed FOR the other column AGAINST. List the pros and cons for each option, grading each one from 1 to 10 (1= relatively unimportant, 10= extremely import) Add up the pro and con score for each, then minus the con score from the pro one. The highest score should be your best option. If you still feel unsure then maybe it’s time to explore your gut reactions further. Succeed step by step Where you have adequate information at your disposal, a logical step-by-step decision-making process can be invaluable in highlighting the best option: 1. Define the dilemma that requires a decision 2. State your aim or goal 3. Outline options that might achieve this aim 4. Specify vital criteria 5. Assess options that might achieve this aim 6. Implement your choice 7. Monitor the outcome. Did your choice help you achieve your goal and fulfil additional criteria? It is Important to Take Responsibility You may not always make the ‘right’ decision. However what is important is to turn a problem situation into a positive one, and to do that you need to: Take responsibility for your decision: Do not apportion blame elsewhere or bury the mistake. Accept that you are human and therefore fallible. Assess the nature and extent of the problem: Is it really so awful or just not what you had expected? Does it throw up any good points? Explore constructive ways to proceed: You don’t have to stick with you’ve got just because you expended energy making your original decision. Learn from your experience: Don’t just dismiss a ‘wrong’ decision as bad luck – there is little that cannot be used as helpful information for the future. LifeStyle plus has created remote coaching workshops to assist those who are ready to Take Back Control of their lives by learning more strategies and know how.