There are times in everyone’s live where decisions have to be made. Some decisions are simple, some tough, some ordinary and some life-changing. It sometimes seems as if life is all about decisions, doesn’t it? It is obvious that decision-making is a key component in our lives, but there are no fixed bases or techniques for this process. Everyone makes decision in different ways, and this is the beauty of being a human. One important component, for whatever type of decision we are faced with, is to decide rationally and not emotionally or impulsively. Personally, when I have a decision that needs to be made, I tend to follow three simple steps. My first step is to state the problem. The process of decision making actually starts from problem identification.
I try to clearly define the problem in order to find the best solution. If the problem is stated incorrectly, then the decision will be the wrong ones. The ability to decide and choose wisely and rightly is often a matter of how the problem is posed. This is the reason why I think it is important to be simply and precise in defining the problem, in favor of understanding what we really want to achieve from the decision.
In the second step, I start to gather information that is directly related to the problem, but I like to consider only two or three options that can be adapted to me. I prefer to take some time before deciding because quick, emotionally decisions usually tend to be poor ones. I start to dream up the consequences of every alternative that came as a solution to the problem.
“What if” it is like to play an imaginary game where I like to put myself into different situation of the possible outcomes. Last year for example, I was confused about continuing education or not. Every decision that I make has an impact on me and my family. Also, I consider the way my decision would affect my family because every decision that I make has an impact on me and the other people in my life. Lastly, I prefer to speak with trustworthy persons who are familiar with my concerns and personality, like my mom and my husband. Overthinking on finding the right way sometimes makes me confuse and uncertain.
Speaking with them is like speaking with myself, but in a clear mind. An advice can help me a lot to make better choices, but sometimes only the fact that I hear myself talk out loud about what I am thinking and why I think that way helps me to decide. We have to feel decisions as well as think of them.
It is important to make choices on what we want and not based on what we thought others people wanted. Every decision brings with it some good, some bad, some lessons and some luck. The only thing that is for sure is that indecision steals many years from many people who wind up wishing they just had the courage to leap. The choices we make today affect our tomorrow. Do what is right not what is easy
