Perhaps the one and only thing certain about life is that it is constantly subjected to change. Change – be it big or small demands adjustment and wise decision-making. And while it can be intimidating, decision-making is an art that, if mastered, can alter your life for the better.
Author of Authentically Authentic, Jamaal believes that making wise decisions requires practice and experience. The more often you make decisions, the better equipped you will become to handle difficult situations with grace.
There is no single formula for making the right decisions because every circumstance requires a different mindset and a different approach. And while each situation asks that you manage and monitor it uniquely, there are certain steps you can take to hone your decision-making skills.
1. Understand Your Situation.
Before making any decisions, it is important to understand the context of the situation you are in. Don’t just judge superficially; rather, take your time to ask key questions such as “what are my options?” “What works in my favor?” and “what is most important?” This allows you to gain perspective on the issue at hand and weigh potential solutions against each other.
2. Consider All Options Available.
Avoid resorting to tunnel vision and keep your mind open to the many possibilities and options available. Coming up with multiple solutions, researching each, and weighing the pros and cons can help narrow down which solution would be best suited for the problem at hand. It is also beneficial to think outside of the box while brainstorming solutions.
3. Take Your Time.
Avoid making snap decisions that come from a place of emotion or impulse. Instead, take your time to consider the alternatives and consequences of each option before committing to one. Taking the necessary time to make a decision will result in a more informed choice that you can live with for years to come.
4. Trust Your Gut Instincts.
Never neglect your inner self as it knows more than you think it does. It is important to always trust your instinct as it can tell you when something is wrong, even if no logical explanation can be found for it yet. This will also allow you to go beyond what just “seems” right and select the best option by trusting your intuition instead of solely relying on facts and figures.
5. Examine the Outcome.
After making a decision, it is important to take some time to assess the outcome and analyze what could have been done differently. Ask yourself if you are satisfied with the decision you made and if this really turned out to be in your best interest. This process of reflection not only helps you learn from your mistakes but also builds confidence in your decision-making abilities.
Final Thoughts
Author Jamaal believes that the skill of decision-making gets more powerful each time you choose to trust yourself and make a choice that best fits your needs. You may fail here and there a couple times, but these losses will only strengthen your intuition, ensuring you make wiser decisions in the long run.