When decisions need to be made, most people evaluate their options with the tried-and-true list of pros and cons. Although this may be helpful, it is not always the most effective decision-making tool. For example, if someone asks you if you can complete a task, you may you look at your to-do list to see if you can fit on your list versus checking your calendar to see if you have any available time. If you do use a pros and cons list, use it to help make your decisions with the understanding and focus on your goal to ensure that you will be on the right track. The one question people often fail to ask is: How will this decision get me closer to that outcome or results I desire?”
“You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”
― Michelle Obama
If it doesn’t, why are you doing it?
There are simple strategies that you can implement that will improve your decision-making skills.
- Goal/Outcome: Be clear on what it is you wish to achieve.
- Assess:
- Where are you at?
- What are the options available?
- What are the pros and cons?
- Relevance: Does it take you closer to your goals or further away?
- Resources:
- What are the resources available? How can you mobilize those resources?
- Risks:
- What are the potential risks?
- Research – Do your homework. Find out as much you can about a situation and the background. Ask questions.
- What are the facts? Success rates?
- Impact:
- What and who is impacted by this decision?
- Interventions and actions:
- What steps or actions are necessary to get you closer to your goal?
- What are the potential risks or obstacles in the way of getting the outcome that you want?
- Gut Check/Intuition. What does your gut tell you? Remember not to over analyze everything.
- Ask Powerful questions:
- What is working?
- What’s not working?
- What do I need to stop doing?
Now you have all the information you need to make a decision. Separate facts from emotions. When your emotions are high or you feel threatened, it is not a good time to make a decision. Your brain goes into protection mode. Sometimes you need to take some quiet time to think or get into a different environment for a short time. Don’t be afraid to consult others who may have been in similar situations. They may save you some heartache by sharing their experiences. It does not mean history will repeat success or failure. There will be a lesson to learn as with many things in life and business. Each step requires simple actions. Follow them to help you get the results you want to achieve- or better.
DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com
Widely regarded as a “people hacker,” Dr. Goulston began his career as an interventional psychiatrist focusing on suicide and violence intervention and prevention and UCLA professor of psychiatry. He then extended his work to training FBI and police hostage negotiators and then to the corporate world and NGOs.
At first, it will seem awkward because you need to think about doing something. Over time it will become automatic. Remember when you first learned to drive or ride a bicycle. You had to think about every action and over time you did not need to think about every step. You may have fallen off your bicycle a couple times until you found your balance. Once you found your balance, you just hopped on your bike and rode. You may have been nervous driving a car, there was so much to remember. Someone may even have honked the horn because you hesitated before you took the turn. The nervousness is now gone and you can get into the car and drive to your destination.
You hear acts of courage such as the firefighter or the police who have run into danger were others retreat. Other heroes of courage include Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Theresa. You have even heard stories of the courageous lion in the Wizard of Oz and in the story of David and Goliath. You have been courageous and sometimes you have silenced your courage because it means that you need to step out of what you know to be comfortable.