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.
https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tim_Connor/43189
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