By Jack Perry
Every day you make many different decisions, both personal and work-related. Some decisions are simple, such as deciding what to eat for breakfast or which suit to wear; others are major, such as how to invest your money, who to hire, or who to marry. In either case, the decisions you make every day will shape your life.
Of course, since you make so many decisions every day, you have to realize and accept that you will make mistakes. Yes, you will make the wrong decisions sometimes, but that’s okay. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes and use them to help you make better decisions in the future.
In your life and in your business, you probably don’t want to have many regrets. So how do you decide what decision to make? You need to understand the different levels of decisions and know the level of thought and consideration required for each one. Once you learn the different levels of decisions and the process you go through with each, you will feel more confident about every decision you make.
The Levels of Decisions
Tier One Decisions: Everyday, Routine Things
Each day, from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep at night, you make many different decisions. But you probably don’t think of them as decisions because they’re routine for you. These include things like deciding whether to have pancakes or eggs for breakfast, which route to travel to work, or which parking spot to choose. These decisions become part of your daily routine and you don’t consciously think whether you’re making the right decision. While these routine decisions shape who you are, they are not major decisions that require a lot of time and energy.
You are able to make these everyday, routine decisions without much thought or effort because you subconsciously draw from your history or personal experience with similar decisions, or from feedback or lessons you’ve learned from others who have made these decisions.
Tier Two Decisions: Those that Affect More than Just You
When you need to make a decision that affects more than just you, you must put more thought into your decision-making process. You have to think of how your decision will impact the other people involved. If you feel you can’t make an informed decision or if you’re hesitant, don’t be afraid to seek outside advice. For example, when you make larger, more important decisions, such as who to marry or who to hire in your company, you would probably ask for your friends’ or family’s opinion on your prospective spouse, or meet with your business partner to make a decision on who to hire.
These bigger decisions affect more than just you. Some of them may be reversible, but others may not. That is why you need to have a process in place to help you make these types of decisions.
Tips for Making Decisions
When you need to make major decisions or ones that affect more than just you, you may find yourself wondering, “What is the best way to make this decision?” or “How do I know if I’m making the right decision?” Whether you’re making a big or small decision, keep the following decision-making processes in mind.
1. Think of the Results You Want
Before you attempt to make any decision, think of the outcome you desire. Visualize it in full detail. Imagine the people around you, where you are, what others are saying, and the general feeling in the air. Once you can see this picture clearly, go back to your possible decision choice. Based on your current data, which choice will put you closer to the picture you envisioned? When you know what you want before you make a decision, you will be more apt to make the decision that will get you the results you want.
2. Stick to Your Beliefs
We all have certain values and beliefs that shape who we are. As you contemplate your decision choices, think about the values you hold dear. Write them down and describe what they mean to you. For example, if one of your values is honesty, then describe what honesty really means to you. Once you have all your values listed, consider your decision choices. Which choice will be most in line with your values and the outcome you want to happen?
3. Weigh the Pros and Cons
On a sheet of paper, make a T-square, or a chart with two columns: one for the pros and one for the cons. Then list all of the pros and cons you can possibly think of for the decision you are making. Whichever side is greater gives you the logical answer of whether to pursue that decision. If you think of all of the pros and cons and believe they’re equal, ask others for their opinion. However, be careful because everyone has their own biases. Don’t let someone else’s opinion completely sway how you feel.
4. Rely on Your Instincts
If you find yourself faced with making an immediate decision and you don’t have time to weigh your options, then go with your instincts. Remove all emotions and just make a decision. Yes, you might regret it later, but then again, you might not. Go with whatever you “feel” is right, even if it seems crazy. By relying on your instincts and making a decision right now, you eliminate any opportunity to procrastinate and put the decision off. A decision put off is a decision not made.
5. Eliminate Barriers from Making Decisions
Fear of failure is the most common barrier that keeps people from making decisions. They feel that every decision they make must be right, and the fear of being wrong paralyzes them. To alleviate this feeling, once you make a decision, put it behind you and move forward. Don’t dwell on the decisions you’ve made. We all make mistakes, but we can learn from our mistakes. So take any mistake you make, learn from it, and don’t make it again. Also, realize that very few decisions involve matters of life or death, so you can likely cope with the consequences of your decision if it ends up being wrong.
Make the Right Decisions for You
No one ever said making decisions was easy. But if you want to be a leader and succeed in your life and career, you’ll need to be confident in your decision-making abilities. Whether you make a good decision or a bad one, whether the decision is routine or complex, strong decision-making skills will take you where you want to go. So decide today to commit to learning and implementing these decision-making techniques. Only then will you have the know-how to make the best decisions that work for you and others as well.
Decisions from The Respect Factor® Series
THE RESPECT FACTOR® is a trademark of Jack Perry in the United States and other countries. Used with permission. ©2009 Jack Perry. All rights reserved
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